Jashans in Jhansi

With only 30 Parsis left in Jhansi today, there were just eight families in attendance at the annual jashan traditionally held on Fravardin mah, Fravardin roz (September 7, 2007) at the 115-year-old Parsi Aramgah in the Cantonment area, Jhansi Parsi Anjuman president Ronny J. Dick informed in a write-up forwarded to Parsiana. On the following day, Behram roz, another jashan was performed at the Jhansi Parsi Dharamshala, followed by a general meeting of the Anjuman. Situated in Sipri Bazar, the Dharamshala, donated by Khan Bahadur Sir Cawasji Lalla of Kanpur in 1932, for the use of the Parsi community, is over 75 years old.

The jashan ceremony was performed by Ervad Rummy Panthaky of Bombay who came all the way from Navsari for the occasion. "The Anjuman is grateful to him for this annual service and also because he is always willing to come to Jhansi to perform death ceremonies as well,” Dick acknowledges. The jashan was followed by a two-minute silence observed in memory of late trustee Keki Bejonji Pestonji and Dina Adi Engineer. Donations received during the year 2006-2007, amounting to nearly one lakh rupees, were read out and gratefully acknowledged. Dick was reelected president and Dhanji Billimoria secretary, with the same committee members, P. B. Pestonji and Farokh K. Pestonji.

After the Anjuman meeting, applications were received from Farokh K. Pestonji and Firdosh P. Bhagalia for permission to run a barat ghar (wedding hall) in the Dharamshala premises. In the discussion that followed the proposal was contested by the old guard and the matter has been kept in abeyance. Pestonji and Bhagalia wish to start the barat ghar to safeguard the entrance to the property and protect the land since non-Parsis are occupying the community land right outside the Dharamshala.

Jhansi’s Parsi Aramgah with its well maintained graves

Dick recounts that the first president of the Jhansi Parsi Anjuman was Edulji Merwanji Boyce. After his death in 1940 the post was held in turn by Dr Jamshed Patel, Sir Cawasji Balaporia, Maneck­shaw Mirza, Hormusji Rustamji Engineer, Adi S. Engineer and Noshir Nadir­shaw Roowalla, now all deceased. Dick was elected president in 1989, a post he still holds.

At one time, in the years between 1900 and 1970, there were nearly 500 Parsis in Jhansi, most of them working for the Indian Railways as drivers, guards, foremen and in the workshop. Now, 24 families remain members of the Anjuman, some of them residing in Bombay and the United Arab Emirates, all of whom help take care of the Anjuman. In fact, Jhansi now boasts of a Parsi website — www.parsisin jhansi.com.au — and those interested may contact Firoze Keki Pestonji at firoz-pestonji@hotmail.com, Ronny Dick at farhad2906@yahoo.com or Farokh Pestonji at farokh-p@yahoo.co.in

Anjuman members were very appreciative of the fact that Billimoria had the complete boundary wall of the Aramgah rebuilt at a cost of Rs 1,30,000 during the oppressive heat of the months of May and June. The wall had been broken in several places. Those graves which were in a sorry condition were also restored by him. The Anjuman appeals to Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians in India and abroad to donate toward the upkeep of the Aramgah and Dharamshala. Cheques or Demand Drafts in favor of "Jhansi Parsi Anjuman” may be forwarded to the secretary, D. Billimoria, 239/1, Azad Ganj, Sipri Bazar, Jhansi 284003, India.