Antiquity of religion

Ervad Mehernosh Bharucha, panthaky of the Bai M. N. Chenoy Dar-e-Meher in Hyderabad was invited by Salar Jung Museum and Historical Society of Hyderabad to make a presentation on "The Glorious Iranian (Parsi) History and the Religion of Prophet Zarathushtra” on July 11, 2009. This is the second time Bharucha has addressed an audience there comprising members of the Historical Society of Hyderabad and Zoroastrians residing in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Homie Gowadia informed Parsiana via e-mail, on behalf of the M. F. Cama Athornan Ex-Students’ Association, of which Bharucha is an alumnus.

Elaborating on the history of Iranians inhabiting the north Arctic polar region, the migration from these Arctic plains first to ancient Iran and then to modern Iran, the priest also spoke on the trying conditions faced by Parsis when they were forced out of their homeland and had to travel thousands of miles before landing in India, in order to save their religion.

Ervad Mehernosh Bharucha: erudite priest

The audience was also edified regarding the antiquity of Zoroastrianism and the teachings of the Prophet, Zara­thus­htra Spitaman. The principle of Asha (righteousness) that forms the basis of the religion was explained in detail, Gowadia states. When speaking on Iranian history, an overview was provided on each of the five dynasties with detailed mention of Achemenian monarchs Cyrus the Great, Darius the Great and Xerxes the Great. Bharucha spoke on Zoroastrians in India, mentioning their contribution to the development of the country in various fields — industry, finance, aviation, culture, defence as also on the philanthropic front. On special request, he also outlined the history of the Parsis who went to Hyderabad in early 18th century.

Bharucha’s presentation was extremely well received and the audience expressed its appreciation by felicitating him with a bouquet of flowers and memorabilia at the hands of the president of the Historical Society of Hyderabad.