Waters of the world

As the ocean is home to all types of marine life, we too must accommodate different views of Zoroastrianism as long as they are not against the religion, impressed Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Ervad Burjor Antia as the main speaker at the Ava Ardevisur Parav celebrations at Bombay’s Radio Club pier on March 27, 2006, notes a press release on the event. Avan Ardevisur as the female divinity of the waters of the world, represents strength, power and harmony, reminded Antia, urging the congregation to concentrate their energies for peace, progress and harmony in the community. He further asked the gathering to faithfully worship this fountainhead of wisdom, vanquisher of evil and treasure trove of boons.

Top (from left): Z. Commissariat, Limathwalla, Antia, Dastoor, Dinshaw and Bhathena; above (left) A. F. Petit School girls singing monajats with Mehta; and Dastoor leading jashan at Radio Club Photos: Homi Jal

After the prayers led by Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada and supported by 22 other mobeds, the students of Bai Avabai Petit School sang monajats under the guidance of Yasmin Charna and with the music support of Marzban Mehta. Referring to the importance of maintaining purity in our environment Dastoor reminded the congregation not to pollute the seas, rivers or wells which we revere by offering flowers, milk, etc.

Dalal leading jashan at Bhikha Behram Well Photo: Fali Palkhivala

This 30-year-old tradition of observing the Ava Ardevisur Parav has been continuing thanks to the zeal of senior members of the community like Bakhtawar Merchant, Kersi Limath­walla, Cowasji Dinshaw, Kersi Commissariat, Nadir Modi, Zarir Bhathena, Naval Unwalla and Rusi Bhumgara.

The evening’s compere Zarin Commissariat thanked the management of the Radio Club for making available the scenic site at a concessional rate and Sarosh Daruwalla for providing the sound system totally free of cost.

That same evening a jashan was also performed at the Bhikha Behram Well led by Ervad Nariman Dalal, panthaky of Maza­gaon’s F. N. Patel Agiary. The arrangements were made by Tanaz Kera­­walla and Cyrus Irani, acknowledges Fali Pal­khi­vala.