Atas Bahram anniversary

The majority of atash behrams and agiaries have been consecrated on roz Srosh, which is an auspicious day. The Seth Hormusji Bomanji Wadia Atas Bahram at Dhobi Talao wore a festive look, decorated with rangoli and flowers on October 5, 2007, roz Srosh, mah Ardibehesht, when devotees thronged the premises on its 178th salgirah, informs Tehmuras A. Kotwal, secretary of the Hormusji Bomonji Wadia Fire Temple Charity Fund, in a write-up forwarded to Parsiana. Early that morning a sandalwood maachi was offered to the atash padshah on behalf of the trustees. At 9.30 a.m. priests and laypersons from all over Bombay assembled in the main hall of the Atas Bahram where a thanksgiving jashan was performed, led by the boiwallas of the fire temple. Among those present were Dastur (Dr) Kaikhusroo JamaspAsa, Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza, Ervads Asphandiar Dadachanji, Parvez Bajan and Burjor Antia, Khojeste and Firoza Mistree.

An illuminating talk followed in which Bajan explained the role of Srosh Yazad in the Zoroastrian religion. As the vice regent of Ahura Mazda, he occupies a preeminent position, looking after matters in the material world. Srosh Yazad has "never slept well” as he keeps watch over every creation of nature in this world. The word "Srosh” signifies "hearing, intuition, inspiration, obedience to the laws of nature.”

In a new tradition begun on the occasion, a community jashan was performed at 5 p.m. in the Uzirin gah in which all the mobeds participated.

Keti Mehta, trustee of the Atas Bahram and the moving force behind the salgirah celebrations, garlanded the dignitaries and thanked all present for being there.