Davier Agiary’s anniversary

On the 153rd anniversary of Davier’s Bai Navazbai Goiporia Agiary on April 18, 2008, roz Ardibehesht, mah Adar, Bom­bay Parsi Punchayet trustee Burjor Antia donated one lakh rupees toward building a dharamshala in the Agiary compound. The celebrations began with a jashan performed by panthaky Ervad Homi Dinyar Vazifdar and Ervads Darabsha Sidhwa, Behram Panthaki and Sohrab Balaporia of Bombay’s Malcolm Baug Agiary. After the jashan, Marzban Mehta sang songs to entertain those present. This was followed by a free community lunch, informs Maraz­ban Wadia, president of the Davier Parsee Zarthosti Anjuman Fund (DPZAF) in a write-up sent to Parsiana. The jashan was attended by over 500 Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians from Davier, Umbergaon, Sanjan, Nargol, Zaibordi, Dahanu, Bombay, Valsad, Navsari and Surat.

As in previous years, volunteers Jal Guzder, Homi Boga and Kersi Kadod­wala of Bharucha and Behram Baug, and Hosedar Tampal, Cyrus Siganporia, Kersi Mistry, Sarosh Irani, Khodus Bas­ta­ni, Danesh Irani, Kersi Taraporevala, Firdos Irani, Rumi Marawala, Kersi Bawan and Sharukh Govadia from Lalbaug’s Nowroz Baug had gone to Davier in advance to clean and prepare the Agiary for the occasion. Rustom Tirandaz, a regular visitor there, advised Parsis to do good deeds and not to discriminate against women, the write-up informs.

Clockwise (from below): Davier Agiary; Burjor Antia and Asphandiar Dadachanji addressing the gathering

Bai Navazbai Goiporia’s generosity helped to build the Agiary in 1855. Antia’s donation will be used for building a dharamshala in the place where an old house now stands, for which munificence the trustees and community members honored him with a shawl. Other Zoroastrians present also donated sundry sums. Additionally, the Agiary is in need of funds for refurbishment and donations made by cheque in favor of the "Davier Parsee Zarthosti Anjuman Fund” may be sent to the trustees. Their addresses are: Marazban E. Wadia, E/204 Parsi Punchayet Complex, Valbhat Road, Goregaon (E), Bombay 400063, tel: 9819880500; Bapsy Rohintan Daviervala, Daviervala Bungalow, Sanjan (W) 396150, tel: 0260-2576229, 2576459, 9825342924; Parvez E. Wadia, Wadia Building, Post Solsumba, Umbergaon Station 396165, tel: 9898255851; Parvez Mistry, F/32, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Road, Bombay 400001, tel: 22842128, 9821144687 or Parcy J. Daviervala, 402, Sahara, 45, Dr Nair Road, Bombay Central, Bombay 400008, tel: 23087699.