Bonding at Bahrot

During the three-day 22nd youth seminar organized by the Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations (FOZYA) in Dahanu/Bordi from November 2 to 4, 2013 a large number of youngsters trekked up to the Bahrot Caves where our ancestors had protected the sacred Iranshah fire for 12 years. An email received by Parsiana from Mabrin Nanavatty, president of FOZYA reveals that "expecting only a handful, the organizers were surprised to see 102 youngsters board the bus that led us to the starting point.”
After the 5.7 km climb to the top, the participants were briefed by Ruzbeh Hodiwalla, who has been assisting Dr Homi Dhalla, founder of the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation, in restoration of the caves, about their history and current status. He informed them about the belief that there is an underground tunnel leading from the Caves up to Sanjan. After consuming the snacks provided by the organizers, the group descended the foothills of Sanjan, reaching the sanatorium by 3 p.m.

Enthusiastic youth at Bahrot Caves; Dastur Khurshed Dastoor. Photos: Kaiwan Makujina

The youth seminar commenced with a jashan on the first day followed by an interactive session with fitness guru Mickey Mehta. Post lunch the delegates were taken to the Shirin Dinyar School where Udvada’s high priest Dastur Khurshed Dastoor addressed them and narrated the story of how the Iranshah had arrived on Indian shores and why it had been taken to the Bahrot Caves. Though the thrust of this session was religion, the participants were vocal about asking why the youth were not being heard. Many felt there should be a single authority to guide them. It was baffling and puzzling for them when the high priests and other powerful bodies came out with their own interpretation of the Zoroastrian religion. The youngsters were also disapproving of the manner in which community matters were being openly discussed on national television, portraying our religion and its followers in a poor light. The write-up mentions that Delphi Wadia initiated the icebreakers for delegates on the first day.
After the trek to the Bahrot Caves, Shaznin Limjerwala addressed the gathering on the evening of day two and conducted an interactive session on success. A pool party was arranged on the third and final day with a sumptuous meal sponsored by Hotel Ahura. As the evening shadows lengthened, a bonfire was lit and games like antakshari and fish pond played. Delegates remained awake into the wee hours of the morning, bonding with friends, old and new. Delzin Irani, chief coordinator in Dahanu, made all the arrangements there, while Rohaan Mubaraki provided homely food which was enjoyed by all. Kaiwan Makujina was honorary photographer for the event. The youth wing of Surat pledged to host the next youth meet in that diamond trading hub, the write-up concludes.