Midnight ceremony

The nirangdin ceremony performed at midnight on March 3-4, 2007 at the Bai Motlibai Wadia Adaran, in Bombay’s Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari, was packed to capacity. In memory of Pinaz Xerxes Master (née Talati), the ceremony was commissioned by her husband Xerses Percy Master and family. Pinaz, a resident of Malcolm Baug prior to marriage, had passed away after being struck by a hit and run car driver in November 2003 at a very young age. The nirangdin was performed under the guidance of the panthaky of the Wadia Adaran Ervad Dadi Vatcha, ably assisted by Ervads Keki D. Panthaki, Khushroo Kanga and Khushravir Palia.

Principal of the Dadar Athornan Boarding Madressa, Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, watched the ceremony with keen interest and in his address at 3 a.m. praised the manner in which the priests, all alumni of the Athornan Madressa, had conducted the proceedings. He exhorted those present to treat young priests with respect so that they would carry on the traditions of the Zoroastrian religion.

Dastur (Dr) Firoz Kotwal, who attended the Parogna ceremony on March 3, 2007 found it heartening that young mobeds are involved in high liturgal ceremonies and praised Panthaki for encouraging them to carry out such a difficult task. Other dignitaries present included Ervads Aspandyar Dadachanji, Keki V. Ravji, Pervez Bajan and Pervez Dordi, all panthakies of various adarans in Bombay.

Nirangdin, considered one of the most powerful Zoroastrian rituals, is normally conducted in memory of departed souls to enable them to reach a higher level in the spiritual world. Much piety and care is taken in the performance of this ceremony wherein the urine collected from the varasiaji and some other bulls is consecrated so that it can serve as nirang (a purifying drink) for Zoroastrians, explains a write-up from Master.