Wadia Agiary’s salgirah

An 11-mobed jashan ceremony led by Vada Dastur Khurshed Das­toor of Udvada was performed at the Muncherji Jamshetji Wadia Agiary in Lal­baug on the morning of March 2, 2008, roz Meher, mah Meher, as per a write-up sent to Parsiana by trustees of the M. J. Wadia Fire Temple Trust. The Vada Dastur then explained to those present the significance of Meher Yazad Parav, its historical background and how it was celebrated in ancient Iran. This Parav will henceforth be celebrated every year at the M. J. Wadia Agiary, as its salgirah after its renovation, the write-up informs, instead of roz Bahram, mah Bahman.

The highlight of that evening’s celebrations was the inauguration, by Minoo Shroff, chairman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) of the spacious, well-lit, air-conditioned, state-of-the-art M. J. Wadia Agiary Hall which is to be used by the community for the celebration of happy occasions. Shroff called on the community to remain united at all times and eschew meaningless squabbles. Complimenting the trustees for the wonderful agiary and hall, a matter of pride for the entire community, he lightheartedly mentioned in an aside that the trials and tribulations that the trustees had gone through to make the renovated Agiary a reality is a dress rehearsal of what he goes through at the BPP!

Chairman of the Wadia Agiary Trust Kersi Limathwalla expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty for giving him and his colleagues the strength to see the project through despite the opposition they had to face. Thanking all those who had stood by him, he made special mention of builder Zarir Bhathena who renovated the Agiary. Limathwalla also than­ked all his detractors, for it is only in the face of opposition that one is put to the true test which helps one’s evolution, the write-up informed. "No dream is too big to achieve, if your intent is right,” Limathwalla maintained.

Vada Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza then spoke on fire, its significance in our lives, its symbolic relevance and how it must be maintained with piety and purity. As per the write-up, Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, principal of the Dadar Athornan Boarding Madressa has consented to be the course director for various religious activities at the Agiary. Explaining the details of the structured course on "Introduction to Zoroastrian Religion,” Karanjia and his team of speakers urged all true seekers of knowledge to enroll to "know God, know your religion and know yourself.”

Zarine Commissariat competently compered the function. A vote of thanks to all present by trustee Shirin Wadia wound up the events, followed by a sumptuous contributory gahanbar.