Adajan’s adarian

The holy fire was re-enthroned in the newly reconstructed Sir Jam­set­jee Jejeebhoy Ada­rian in Ada­jan, near Surat on January 24, 2011 and an inaugural jashan performed by its panthaky, Ervad Noshirwan Tu­rel on January 26, as per information provided to Parsiana by Firoze Damania, senior manager of the Sir J. J. Charity Funds in Bombay.

Reconstruction work on the 183-year-old Adarian and its ancillary structures was undertaken as part of the trustees’ efforts to repair and maintain various establishments under the trust’s control. Work commenced in August 2007 with Sarosh Wadia as architect and Cyrus Unwala of M/s Premier Construction Company in charge of the project. The magnanimity of several donors and well-wishers ensured that the reconstruction and refurbishment were successfully completed, Damania writes.

Newly renovated Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Adarian in Adajan; (above) Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy (right) receiving shawl from Surat Parsi Panchayat chairman Darayus Master

This Adarian, consecrated on June 19, 1827 through the munificence of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, first baronet, is the oldest fire temple managed by the Sir J. J. Charity Fund. Over the better part of two centuries this place of worship has acquired a degree of sanctity that’s resulted in it becoming a preferred place of worship for several Zoroastrian families living in the vicinity.

A gumbaz (dome) above the sacred fire, crafted entirely out of wood, was a unique feature of the original structure housing the Adarian. The trustees have decided to preserve and display this relic within the Adarian’s premises, Damania notes.