Readers' Forum
Enjoying Udvada
When our daughter and son, who work abroad, came to Bombay on their annual holiday they wanted to visit the Iranshah Atash Behram. Instead of a boring journey, we decided to spend a day and a night at Bordi and the same amount of time at Udvada.
To avoid the traffic, instead of going via Western Express Highway we went via Thane and took the Western Express Highway only at Ghodbunder (Vasai Creek Bridge), having breakfast on the way. The Bordi Sanatorium was simple and we enjoyed the atmosphere, food and much needed rest. The evening was spent at the beach, swimming during high tide. Later, we took some lovely pictures of the sunset, had a bath and visited the agiary.
The next day we left for Udvada. At the Sodawaterwalla Dharamshala we were welcomed by Manek Tadiwala himself. He politely informed us about the rates for lodging and meals, and we booked three rooms for seven persons. Everything was transparent and after every meal we were given the bill for approval. We spent the evening at the Iranshah Atash Behram and Pundole Agiary. All the meals were provided at the Dharamshala — lunch, evening tea, dinner, cold drinks, ice-cream and even milk after dinner. There was so much choice and flexibility in the food items.
What we missed at the Dharamshala were a shower and television. Tadiwala explained that this was as per the wishes of the donor who had renovated the Dharamshala recently.
On the next day we had a simple breakfast followed by tea, coffee and milk, as per our choice, visited the Iranshah again, returned to the Dharamshala and checked out, leaving for Bombay after paying the bill. There was no error or ambiguity in the bill as everything was clear, as per what had been discussed and what we had consumed. We left with a smile on our faces and good memories. I fail to understand why so many negative things are being written about the Sodawaterwalla Dharamshala these days.
We share these experiences with readers to encourage fellow Zoroastrians to plan their trips well so that they can actually enjoy their religious pilgrimage without fatigue, extravagance or disappointment. When things are so well-managed, Parsio né chithra farwani su jaroorat chhè (where is the need for Parsis to grumble)?
RUSTOM A. HAVEWALLA
rustomhavewalla@gmail.com
To avoid the traffic, instead of going via Western Express Highway we went via Thane and took the Western Express Highway only at Ghodbunder (Vasai Creek Bridge), having breakfast on the way. The Bordi Sanatorium was simple and we enjoyed the atmosphere, food and much needed rest. The evening was spent at the beach, swimming during high tide. Later, we took some lovely pictures of the sunset, had a bath and visited the agiary.
The next day we left for Udvada. At the Sodawaterwalla Dharamshala we were welcomed by Manek Tadiwala himself. He politely informed us about the rates for lodging and meals, and we booked three rooms for seven persons. Everything was transparent and after every meal we were given the bill for approval. We spent the evening at the Iranshah Atash Behram and Pundole Agiary. All the meals were provided at the Dharamshala — lunch, evening tea, dinner, cold drinks, ice-cream and even milk after dinner. There was so much choice and flexibility in the food items.
What we missed at the Dharamshala were a shower and television. Tadiwala explained that this was as per the wishes of the donor who had renovated the Dharamshala recently.
On the next day we had a simple breakfast followed by tea, coffee and milk, as per our choice, visited the Iranshah again, returned to the Dharamshala and checked out, leaving for Bombay after paying the bill. There was no error or ambiguity in the bill as everything was clear, as per what had been discussed and what we had consumed. We left with a smile on our faces and good memories. I fail to understand why so many negative things are being written about the Sodawaterwalla Dharamshala these days.
We share these experiences with readers to encourage fellow Zoroastrians to plan their trips well so that they can actually enjoy their religious pilgrimage without fatigue, extravagance or disappointment. When things are so well-managed, Parsio né chithra farwani su jaroorat chhè (where is the need for Parsis to grumble)?
RUSTOM A. HAVEWALLA
rustomhavewalla@gmail.com
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