Visitors to Vesu

In Vesu village, about 12.5 km from Surat, after many years, "a gathering of such magnitude was seen,” states Minoo Patel, managing trustee of the Bai Pirojbai Maneckji Patel Vesu Adaryan. The visitors had converged to participate in the 122nd salgirah of the fire temple on mah Adar, roz Ardibehesht, April 18, 2010.

A gahanbar was organized on the Adaryan grounds in the evening where nearly 250 members of the community were served dinner. With Parsi families acquiring properties from Piplod to Dumas, there is once again an influx of Parsis in this region, points out Patel. Earlier in the morning a maachi was offered by the trustees in the Havan gah, followed by a jashan led by the High Priest of Surat, Dastur Cyrus Dastur. Participating in the jashan were the panthaky of the Adaryan Ervad Nariman Karanjia along with Ervads Fardoonji Turel and Aspi Surti.

Jashan performed at the Pirojbai Patel Vesu Adaryan

The function was primarily initiated by Afroz Patalwala and Keki Ichhaporia who were supported by the trustees of the Wadi Bunder Gambhar Fund, especially Soli Katpitia who facilitated the sponsorship of the gahanbar, notes Patel.

The Adaryan that was built over a century ago needs to be rebuilt in reinforced cement concrete as the old structure is fast aging, realize the trustees who are hopeful that help will be forthcoming from the community when they undertake repairs.