Avan Yazad nu parav

Organizer Kersi Limathwalla quipped that this was the "only community event attended in large numbers where no bhonu is served” while welcoming those who had assembled for the Avan Yadaz nu parav function on March 25, 2015, Avan mah Avan roz, at the pier of Bombay’s Radio Club. He highlighted the fact that we worship God through His creations and asked the gathering what they have done to preserve nature. "We must keep the environment of our body, mind and soul clean. We should live in complete harmony with all divine creations. We must preserve the balance of nature by protecting animals, birds, vegetation, natural resources and make this world an image of God,” Limathwalla urged, as per a write-up received by Parsiana from the organizers of the annual function which attracts large numbers of Zoroastrian devotees seeking the blessings of the water deity year after year.

In Christian genesis, man has to take control of nature, whereas in the Zoroastrian teaching man has to be one with nature because nature is animate, claimed Dr Homi Dhalla, keynote speaker whose topic was "Zoroastrian view of ecology.” There is a fravashi in trees and animals as well as in man, making nature sacred, said Dhalla. A Zoroastrian never prays for himself alone, but for the good of all living creatures which Ahura Mazda has created. We worship Ahura Mazda but revere the sun, moon, waters and the creations of God are entwined in every Zoroastrian prayer as the Amesha Spentas are linked to all creations, Dhalla expounded.
The Avan mah Avan roz celebrations began with a jashan performed by Dastur Khurshed Dastoor followed by a humbandagi by the assemblage. The entertainment commenced with Marazban Mehta’s song of supplication to Avan Yazad followed by a song written by Rustom Chothia sung by the students of Girton High School glorifying the 30 Yazads who preside over the 30 days of each month.
Members of the Bombay Zoroastrian Jashan Committee paid tribute to the late founders of these celebrations, Dinsha Merchant and Rustomjee Kuka. Today Ervad Nadir Modi, Limathwalla, Kersi Commissariat, Zarir Bhathena, Bakhtavar Merchant and Rusi Bhumgara are carrying forward this tradition with assistance from the Athornan Mandal headed by Dastoor. Special thanks were extended to the Jashan Committee for financial support to enable holding this function in these inflationary times. Zarine Commissariat thanked Dhalla, Dastoor and his team of priests, the dignitaries and others for making the function a success, the write-up concludes.