Lalbaug agiary jashan

It was time for a triple celebration at Lalbaug’s M. J. Agiary on March 2, 2009, Meher mah, Meher roz, which marked two years since the renovation of the fire temple and one year of the inauguration of its air-conditioned M. J. Wadia Hall in the complex. The day also saw the successful completion of a year-long Structured Course on Introduction to the Zoroastrian Religion, conducted by Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, principal of the Dadar Athornan Boarding Madressa, as per a write-up sent to Parsiana by Roxane D. Desai, course coordinator.

On that auspicious morning scores of devotees, including a number of Std X students seeking blessings of the atash padshah on the first day of their ICSE school leaving examinations, visited the fire temple. Eleven priests, headed by Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada, performed a jashan a few hours later. By six in the evening, the Hall was packed with over 100 Zarathushtis, including course participants, Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Noshir Dadrawala, builder Zarir Bhathena, Ervad Parvez M. Bajan as well as trustees of the Agiary, notes the write-up.

Top: Kersi Limathwalla speaks as Ervad Ramiyar Karanjia, Shyam Wadia, Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, Shirin Wadia and Dara Mehta listen. Bottom (L): the audience, (R) children sing devotional songs

A monajat in praise of the prophet Zarathushtra was sung by seven children, followed by a short skit on Avan Ardvisur Banu, the message of which was to keep alive faith and hope at all times. The children sang a catchy song wishing everyone a happy Jamshedi Navroz. Trustee Kersi Limathwalla enlightened those present on Meher Daver Meher Yazad, the divinity that presides over light from the sun and other luminary objects in the universe. Meher Yazad, the giver of justice, symbolizes truth, honesty, sanctity of promises and friendship, he explained. Dastoor spoke on "Origin of Iranshah Atash Padshah.”

Also felicitated on the occasion was Bhathena, who had renovated the Agiary, while Desai’s enthusiasm and tireless efforts as course coordinator were appreciated. The evening culminated with the distribution of certificates of participation to those who had completed Karanjia’s course at the hands of Dastoor and his wife Havovi, trustees of the Agiary and other dignitaries, reveals the write-up.

As a result of the overwhelming response from participants and a demand from others for more knowledge and guidance about Avestan prayers and healing through prayer, a new Structured Course II was announced, to commence on April 5, 2009. Like the preceding one, this course would be conducted on the morning of the first Sunday of every month for 10 months, the write-up concludes.