Modi Atash Behram is 183

The Zoroastrian religion is in tune with the laws of nature and science, stressed Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza at the 183rd anniversary of Surat’s Seth D. N. Modi Shahenshahi Atash Behram on October 5, 2005. He spoke on the importance of the holy fire and related experiences of his recent trip to Iran.

The celebrations organized jointly by the Athornan Mandal and Parsi Pragati Mandal commenced with a Havan gah maachi offered on behalf of the Anjuman. Later to the accompaniment of a music band the ‘Kavyani zhando (flag)’ was taken out in procession along the streets near the Atash Behram when families residing in the area honored it with garlands. This was followed by a jashan led by Dastur Cyrus Dastoor, president of Surat’s Athornan Mandal, according to a report of the day’s festivities forwarded by Rusi Besania, president of the Parsi Pragati Mandal.

At the evening function presided over by Darayas Master, president of the Surat Parsi Panchayat and trustee Jamshed Dotivala, a special felicitation was accorded to Ervad Faredoon Turel, a senior mobed of the Atash Behram. Mirza commended his efforts to encourage young mobeds to perform pav mahal ceremonies like ijashni, vendidad, nirangdin and hom yasht. Nearly 1,400 Zoroastrians partook of the dinner organized by the Atash Behram Fund and the Vadi Bandar Gambhar Fund.