A souvenir for Goti

The Goti Adarian in Surat was renovated in December 2003 and the fire rein- stalled with all the religious ceremonies in the presence of its countless devotees.

To mark this solemn occasion, well-known author and writer Rusi F. Besania brought out a memorable souvenir which gives a brief history about the Goti Adarian and some articles on our religion. He has also quoted from old Parsi periodicals and newspapers what various scholars and leaders had to say about the adarian.

The origins of the Goti Adarian including the year when it was built are not known. Originally housed near an ancient fortress known as Rafi Burj near the Tapi river, the Adarian was later moved to its present location which is a few kilometers away from its former site.

Several people assisted the Adarian. From 1894 onwards, Seth Munchershaw Framji Khan of Bombay looked after the maintenance at his personal expense. When the Adarian’s old buildings were dilapidated, Muncher-shaw and his brother Bhikhaji donated a new building in memory of their father, Framji. Munchershaw passed away in 1921, the same year the new building was completed which since then has been known as ‘The Daremeher of Goti Adarian in memory of Seth Framji Bhikhaji Khan.’

As per recorded history, the family of Davar-Modi have been the main trustees of the Goti Adarian since 1803. The association could be earlier but we are writing on the basis of available records. Davar Kavasji Tehmuras Modi who died in 1996 at the age of 74 was the senior-most trustee of the Surat Parsi Panchayat and president and managing trustee of 39 other trusts and funds including the Goti Adarian Trust Fund.

The present renovation was financed by Pallonji Shapurji Mistry in me­mory of his late parents, Shapurji Pallonji Mistry and Alamai Shapurji Mistry. The general enthusiasm of our community as a whole in supporting this Adarian, leads many to believe that this place is only second in holiness to the Iranshah.

In part two of the book, the author has thoughtfully included an article by Ervad Yezdi Nadirshaw Aibara in which he has explained the 33 Farishtas and what they stand for. Ervad Roointon Peer, Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal, Dr Ratan Marshal, Dastur Noshirwan Dastur, Dara Beha-ramkamdin and Parvez Katrak have also contributed to the book.

This book also touches briefly on the lives and contributions of various priests and trustees who served this holy place. It is to their eternal credit that even today, our fellow Zoroastrians have so much faith in the Goti Adarian.

Ruby P. Lilaowala