Bahman mah jashan

A moment’s silence was observed in memory of Dr Mehroo Bengalee who passed away recently at a gathering organized jointly by the Bombay Zoroastrian Jashan Committee (BZJC) and the Athornan Mandal at Allbless Baug on the morning of July 13, 2014, Aneran roz, Bahman mah, as has been the practice for the past several decades, reveals Marzban Giara in an email sent to Parsiana. Four priests from Soonaiji Hirji Agiary performed the ceremony.
Dr Sorab Javeri, chairman of BZJC, Saroosh Cowasjee Dinshaw and Kersi Commissariat, trustees of BZJC along with Ervads Vispi Dastur and Parvez Bajan, trustees of Athornan Mandal and Parsi students of the Alexandra Girls’ English Institution, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable Institution, Gamadia, Girton, J. B. Vachha, Lady Engineer and Panday Schools and of Dadar Athornan Institute along with their teachers attended the function.

Zarine Commissariat, while compering the function, briefly narrated the aims and activities of the BZJC and Athornan Mandal. We have revered fire since the time of Shah Hushang who first discovered fire, Ervad Yazdi Nadersha Aibara, panthaky of the N. H. Karani Agiary, said. The presence of atash is necessary in all our religious ceremonies. Aibara elaborated on the three grades of fire temples — atash behram, atash adarian and atash dadgah. We worship Ahura Mazda through fire which is the representative of God. Fire is a living entity and has a link with Ahura Mazda, he was quoted by Giara. When boi is offered the angel of the gah is present. Evil thoughts, evil words and evil deeds are dispelled.
Dastur spoke about Bahman Ameshaspand who is referred to as Vohu mano (good mind) in the Avesta. He presides over the animal kingdom and protects them. Out of reverence for life, we abstain from partaking of non-vegetarian food during the month of Bahman. Prayers for Bahman Ameshaspand are Bahman Yasht, Mohor Yasht, Gosh Yasht and Ram Yasht. Mohor, Gosh and Ram are the hamkars or coworkers of Bahman Ameshaspand. One can pray Bahman Yasht or setayesh on Bahman roz or recite the Ya Bahman Ameshaspand Beresad 101 times, notes the email.
A vegetarian contributory lunch was catered by Ketayun Khambatta.