Atash Behram is 246

A plaque expressing gratitude by the trustees of the Navsari Atash Behram and Vadi Daremeher Trust Fund and the Bhagarsath Committee for the munificent grant of two crore rupees received from the Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust was unveiled by Dastur Kaikhushro Navroz Dastoor Meherjirana on the 246th anniversary of the enthronement of the fire of the Navsari Atash Behram on October 4, 2011, as per a write-up received by Parsiana. He also unveiled a striking new portrait of the late Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata.

In his brief talk Meherjirani spoke of the complicated rituals which the establishing of the holy fire of an atash behram entails. The atash padshah sahib is a living, conscious, divine entity described in the Avesta as the Son (Poothra) of Ahura Mazda. He also spoke of the achievements of Jamsetji Tata who put India on the industrial map of the world, and of his daughter-in-law Navajbai. The latter, widowed when just 41 years old, spent the rest of her life until her death at 88 in activities which served others, especially through the various trusts set up by the house of Tata. Today the Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust help humanity, especially the poor, needy and suffering. These are Zoroastrian virtues emanating from Bahman and Spenta Armaiti Ameshas­pands, Meherjirani notes.

Jamsetji’s portrait now hangs on the walls of the Atash Behram alongside those of his father Nusserwani and son Ratan. Meherjirani was grateful to the trustees of the Navajbai Tata Trust, and especially to Hoshang Malesra for providing personal guidance during his visits to Navsari, the write-up concludes.