Surat celebration

Surat’s Bagh-e-Parsa Adarian celebrated its 112th salgirah on February 2, 2008, roz Srosh, mah Shahrevar at a function organized by the trustees of the Adarian under the chairmanship of Noshir Dabhoiwala and with enthusiastic support of the Zarathushtis of that city, as per a report written by Mani Jehangir and Parizad Chipia, secretaries of the Parsi Pragati Mandal, and forwarded to Parsiana by Rusi F. Besania, eminent writer of religious books.

The great Kavyani Zanda (flag) representing the Adarian Saheb was taken out in a procession through the Parsi Mohalla accompanied by a band. Many youngsters participated in the procession under the leadership of trustee Jimmy Khara­di. Dastur Meherjirana of Navsari and Besania were the chief guest and guest of honor respectively. The former unveiled a photograph of the late Vada Dastur Noshirwan Dastur, while a photograph of the late Mehroo Noshir Dabhoiwala was unveiled by the latter. Chairman Dabhoiwala did the honors for the photograph of the late Kaikhushru M. Dastur, whose son Eric has donated lakhs of rupees toward the renovation of the Adarian’s building, the write-up informs.

At the unveiling of the photo of late Mehroo Dabhoiwala (from left): Darayes Master, Jimmy Kharadi (partly hidden), High Priest Cyrus Dastur, Rusi Besania, High Priest Meherjirana and Noshir Dabhoiwala

Meherjirana pointed out that the Bagh-e-Parsa Adarian is a most sacred place which has been enriched by holy vibrations when Ilm-e-Khshnoom founder Behramsha Shroff first addressed scholars and religious devotees there at the beginning of his spiritual journey. Kharadi suggested that a spacious memorial hall be built in Shroff’s name adjacent to the Adarian building, a proposal that was immediately accepted by those present. Jehangir and Chipia report that donations of about two lakh rupees were pledged then and there for the purpose.

An impressive life-size glow-light likeness of Zarathushtra, inspired by Kharadi and produced with financial help from Jal Mody was inaugurated by Meherjirana. The main hall of the Adarian was declared the Dasturji Noshirwan Dastur Memorial Hall by Darayes Master, chairman of the Surat Parsi Panchayat, as a tribute to the late Vada Dastur. Besania extolled the generous contribution of the late Mehroo Dabhoiwala toward the beautification of the gardens and pavilion at Surat’s Doongerwadi. Her husband Noshir was presented with a shawl and bouquet on the occasion for which Dilnaz Besania was the master of ceremonies, the write-up concludes.