Benediction in Bhuj

The fire in the 100-year-old Pestonji Sohrabji Bhujwala Daremeher is tended not by a boiwalla, not even by an athornan but by Roda Boatwala, the last surviving Zoroastrian resident in Bhuj who has taken upon herself the responsibility of cleaning and maintaining this place of worship founded by her great-grandfather. The dadgah fire may now see few worshipers and the fire temple may have become a prayer hall but that did not deter the descendants of the Bhujwala family and Zoroastrians from the neighboring areas of Gandhidham, Adipur, Anjar and Madhapur to join in the centenary celebrations on May 9, 2005, roz Dae-pa-Din, mah Adar.

The centenary function included a jashan by Ervad Tehmton Govadia of Bombay who was keen to perform prayers in the Bhujwala Daremeher since he had cherished childhood memories of this place where his father had served as resident priest for almost a decade. The simple function in the evening was graced by Maharao Pragmalji, Maharani Pritidevi and other representatives of the erstwhile royal family of Kutch.

As recalled Pervine Bhujwala at the function, the Daremeher was inaugurated in 1905, almost a fortnight before the consecration, at the hands of the then Maharao Khengarji Sawai Bahadur of Kutch (great-grandfather of Pragmalji), "a proof of the close association that existed between our families over the past many, many years.” They also welcomed in their midst social worker and philanthropist Kantisen Shroff who is committed to reviving the rural economy and creating awareness on agricultural and conservation issues.

100-year-old Pestonji Sohrabji Bhujwala Daremeher

Although 100 years old, "this monument still stands strong and stately, despite weathering difficult and damaging times,” observed Pervine Bhujwala gratefully appreciating the "dedicated service” of Boatwala and Rohinton Bhujwala who too looked after the Daremeher prior to his leaving Bhuj. During the 2001 earthquake which devastated many localities in the region, the Daremeher was fortunately saved with only the afarganiu replicas atop the structure sliding to the ground after which they were reaffixed in the compound there, mentions Capt Pestonji Bhujwala. In fact the compound and adjoining structures were offered as temporary refuge for victims who became homeless during the natural disaster, writes another great-grandson Maneck Bhujwala of California.

The Daremeher was built during a glorious era by Khanbahadur Pestonji in memory of his pious father Sohrabji for a then princely sum of Rs 10,776, as notes an inscription in Gujarati on the premises. Besides the cost of construction he also bore the expenses to have the place furnished and to purchase the German silver utensils that would be required for the ceremonies. Unfortunately whilst the construction was still in progress, Pestonji died but on his first death anniversary, roz Dae-pa-din, mah Adar the Daremeher was consecrated at the hands of two priests from Udvada — Ervads Pestonji and Bhikhaji Rus­tom­ji Bhada — and dedicated to Shri Kutch-Bhuj Jarthosti Anjuman. Presently the trustees of the Shri Kutch Parsi Anjuman are Cowasjee N. Dinshaw, Capt Bhujwala and Adi Mehta.

"Today we honor the memories of our ancestors and all who worked and worshiped in this fire temple,” noted Pervine Bhujwala, remarking, "Pestonji was an eminent, illustrious and greatly admired citizen of Kutch. Inspiring stories of his nobility and generosity, and the benevolence of his sons, grandsons and family members are still doing the rounds among family and friend circles.” Earlier in the day prayers were recited and divas lit at the aramgah.

Top row (from left): Dr Yasmin Nanavati, Boatwala, Pragmalji, Pritidevi, Pervine, Jehan, Priya and Pestonji Bhujwala; the audience at the centenary celebration ; Center row: Jashan being performed to mark the centenary of the Bhujwala Daremeher (left); Ratanbai and Fardoonji Pestonji Bhujwala, Maharao Khemgarji who inaugurated the fire temple Bottom: Aramgah in Bhuj

As pieced together from different members of the Bhujwala family, Sohrabji was a respectable government contractor in Kutch and Kathiawar. He was the earliest known Parsi settler in the mid 19th century to come from Surat to Bhuj by a country craft in search of new fields and green pastures. After settling down in Bhuj the family changed their last name to Bhujwala. Pestonji, the private secretary to Khengarji, had accompanied the Maharaja to a Commonwealth conference in London during Queen Victoria’s reign. Besides the Daremeher he had also built a school building.

At the inauguration Khengarji had described Pestonji as "a zealous officer of the Durbar (who) did his duty earnestly wherever he was placed. Moreover he was well known to the public of Bhuj as a citizen who possessed wide sympathies and a goodness of heart,” it was reported in The Times of India of May 24, 1905. For nabbing the dreaded criminal Bhor Singhwani who was causing untold miseries in the area, Pestonji was conferred the title of Khan Bahadur.

To accommodate the large congregation at the inauguration, a special shamiana was erected in the compound, the mulmul canopy resting on red poles, according to a description in the Jam-e-Jamshed of May 25, 1905. The floral decorations and arcades were befitting the royal presence. In fact a special police band had been summoned to accord a guard of honor to the Maharaja and flowers were showered on him at the entrance. Among the other respected individuals present were members of the royal family, political agent Colonel Abud, dewan Chunilal Sarabhai, Dr Damania, private secretary Chotalal Sewakram, Pallanji Bezonji... Welcoming the dignitaries on behalf of the Bhujwala family, the deceased’s brother Dhanjishah Sorabji remarked, "Most of the Parsis living in Kutch owe their position and prosperity to the benevolence and generosity of …Khengarji… Whatever has been accomplished for the good of the cantonment of Bhuj and elsewhere…by … Pestonji…during his lifetime was entirely due to the gracious encouragement and generous treatment he had invariably received at the hands of his noble patron Maharaja Khen­garji…To the Hindu princes of India the Parsis also owe their political education and advancement, for it was by them that they were first admitted to important administrative posts of trust and confidence in their states and there is hardly a native state in the Bombay presidency at present wherein Parsis are not ‘en evidence’ more or less. Baroda, the premier Hindu native state has at present a Parsi dewan and similarly other important native states such as Kolhapur, Kutch, Ratlam, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Gondal have at one time or another taken a Parsi as their dewan or naeb dewan.”

Opening the door of the sacred building with a silver key the Maharaja remarked, "Of all the duties which we are enjoined by religion to undertake the one that contributes towards the worship and adoration of the Most High is preeminently the best and most worthy of adoption.” As noted The Times of India, "The ceremony was particularly interesting in that a Parsi place of worship was being opened by a Hindu prince.”

For more than seven decades the Daremeher served the many members of the Zoroastrian community and prayer ceremonies at the fire temple then were a daily and regular feature. With a migrating and declining population and the non-availability of Parsi priests to perform the necessary rituals for the sacred fire, the fire temple became a prayer hall. With barely 10 to 15 Parsis frequenting this prayer hall each month, it is now akin to the dar-e-mehers in the United States, writes Maneck Bhujwala stating that donations would be welcome for the upkeep of this house of worship. Cheques in the name of Shri Kutch Parsi Anjuman Trust Fund may be mailed in India to Boatwala, Camp Bhuj, Kutch or overseas to Maneck Bhujwala, 8644 Portola Court, #13G, Huntington Beach, California, USA 92646.

For the Parsis posted in and around Kutch, the prayer hall helps them retain their ties with their religion and confirms that the embers of their faith are still simmering.