Thana Agiary’s salgirah

The trustees of the Thana Agiary Fund (TAF), ably supported by members of the Thana Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman (TPZA) and the Thana Zoroastrian Charity Fund, organized the 229th salgirah celebrations of their Cawasji Patell Agiary on February 23, 2009, roz Adar, mah Meher, as per a write-up by TAF trustee Kurus M. Shroff forwarded to Parsiana on e-mail by TPZA and TAF trustee Pervez Bhesania. Thanks to the efforts of enthusiastic young volunteers in helping put up the evening’s function, an overwhelming surge of Zoroastrian devotees attended the 4 p.m. maachi ceremony, followed an hour later by a khushali nu jashan.

The main function commenced with a sonorous humbandagi led by Ervad Behramsha Sidhwa followed by a robust, candle-lit rendition of Chhaiyyé Hamé Zarathoshti. Presiding over the function, Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal enlightened the gathering with a speech on the "Arrival of our Parsi ancestors in India and establishment of Iranshah.” Lacing his talk with rare, long forgotten anecdotes, Kotwal traced the journey of the Iranshah to various sites before it found its permanent abode in Udvada, the write-up mentions.

In his short but delightful speech chief guest Nandkumar Jantre, municipal commissioner of Thana, who came along with his family, praised the Parsis/Iranis for their peace loving nature and congratulated them for celebrating this momentous event with fervor. Thana’s commissioner of police Anil P. Dhere, also present on the dais, added to the prestige quotient, which Shroff deems a social coup for the organizers. The evening ended with a gourmet spread catered for by Ketayun Khambata, culminating with delicious strawberry icecream.

Shroff has also appealed for assistance in repairing and renovating the 229-year-old Patell Agiary which is in a dilapidated condition. The trustees, he reveals, have put in a lot of effort to draw up a plan for the total reconstruction of the heritage structure which is made of limestone. "Bureaucratic red tape had mired this project... for quite some time… After a prolonged and persistent endeavor on the part of the Agiary trustees, the reconstruction proposal has finally met with approval from the concerned authorities, with certain conditions attached.”

Strenuous efforts have been put in by chairman trustee Homi Talati and enthusiastically supported by Bhesania. The TAF seeks assistance from philanthropic Zoroastrians to bring this dream to fruition. Donations by cheque made in the name of the "Thana Agiary Fund Construction Account” may be sent to the Thana Parsi Agiary, Agiary Lane, Tembi Naka, Thana 400601.