Religious revelry

To celebrate the 225th anniversary of the Cawasji Rustomji Patell Agiary at Thana which caters to the religious needs of over 1,000 Zoroastrians residing in the north eastern suburbs a two-day program was organized on February 24 and 25, 2004, according to a press release by Thana Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman (TPZA) trustee Zarsis Udhnawala. The highlight of the event was a felicitation of eminent members of the community and a religious lecture by Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal. Philanthropist Shahrukh Kathawala’s sister Maharukh Noble announced a generous donation of one lakh rupees to the Thana Agiary Fund and the president of the TPZA Rustom Cursetji presented a cheque of Rs 51,000 to the chairman of the Thana Agiary Fund H. S. Talati. Besides Kathawala and Noble shawls and flowers were offered to senior counsel Bomi Zaiwalla in recognition of his efforts to recover precious Trust property in Thana. Nearly 400 Zoroastrians from Thana and Bombay attended the functions, whose chief organizer was Anjuman vice president Pervez Bhesania. In addition to the traditional religious ceremonies, also organized was a fun fair with a fancy dress competition which saw 23 participants, the majority under 10 years of age, and a community dinner catered by Nariman Dalal. A two-day exhibition cum sale attracted many visitors.

At the Thana Agiary (left) celebrations ( L to R) Talati, Zaiwala, Kotwal, Noble, Cursetji and Bhesania

Started as a dadgah in 1780 by Cawasji Patell, the status of the fire was elevated to that of an adarian in 1828 by Cawasji’s eldest son Rustomji. The temple which Rustomji rebuilt in the same year was recently declared a heritage structure.

The Zoroastrians residing in Thana have left their indelible imprint on the public life of the area by creating many charitable institutions. The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy School, the Wadia Dispensary, Divecha Hall, the pavilion in the central maidan, the maternity ward and eye clinic at the Civil Hospital and the Taraporewalla Baug near Kalva Bridge bear testimony to their benevolence.