Events & Personalities
Conserving Bahrot Caves
An online petition by Dr Homi Dhalla on the need to restore the Bahrot Caves that received support from 6,000 signatories worldwide has borne fruit. Copies of the signed petition had been personally handed over by Dhalla to Dr Gautam Sengupta, director general of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) as well as to Salman Khurshid, minister for minority affairs, Government of India, New Delhi, according to an e-mail received from him.
In an e-mail dated January 3, 2012 sent to Parsiana Dhalla writes: "I have some good news regarding the Bahrot Caves which I wish to share with the Parsi community worldwide. For the first time in 600 years, concrete steps have been taken to bring these Caves to life once again.” After 11 years of persistent effort, the ASI has at last commenced work at this heritage site, mentions Dhalla, listing things which have already been done. For the first time the ASI has thoroughly cleaned the Caves, removing all the debris and bushes which had grown at the site. Roots of trees which were damaging the walls have been eliminated. There is a precipitous drop into the valley just outside the Caves and Dhalla had suggested that a protective railing be placed there. A strong metal fence has consequently been constructed.
In an e-mail dated January 3, 2012 sent to Parsiana Dhalla writes: "I have some good news regarding the Bahrot Caves which I wish to share with the Parsi community worldwide. For the first time in 600 years, concrete steps have been taken to bring these Caves to life once again.” After 11 years of persistent effort, the ASI has at last commenced work at this heritage site, mentions Dhalla, listing things which have already been done. For the first time the ASI has thoroughly cleaned the Caves, removing all the debris and bushes which had grown at the site. Roots of trees which were damaging the walls have been eliminated. There is a precipitous drop into the valley just outside the Caves and Dhalla had suggested that a protective railing be placed there. A strong metal fence has consequently been constructed.
Clockwise, from l: Dr Homi Dhalla reading plaques; protective railing; main cave at Bahrot
The ASI had requested Dhalla for information on the Caves and has now culled some important lines which have been reproduced on a large plaque in three languages. The scholar is also continuing his efforts to persuade various authorities to provide a road to the Caves, his e-mail notes. Once this is done, he is confident that "electricity and water supply will also hopefully reach this site.”
The Caves are of "deep religious and historical significance” to the Parsis as the holy Iranshah fire was housed there for 12 years when Sanjan was attacked by Alaf Khan around the end of the 14th century. To this day this site remains a place of pilgrimage with several Zoroastrians visiting the Caves and priests performing the jashan ceremony there. As per historical records, about a century ago navjote ceremonies of some Zoroastrians were being performed there, Dhalla mentions in his e-mail.
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