“Nurtured in Navsari”

In the informative and interesting article "Nurtured in Navsari” (Parsiana, October 21, 2015) the writer has referred to the establishment of the Atash Behram (AB) under the leadership of Khurshedji Bapa and to the construction in 1922-’25 of the present magnificent building. I would like to add a few facts. Constructing a new building required a good deal of money and a very pious priest, Ervad Khurshedji Beheramji Sahiyar, contributed Rs 75,000 in 1922-’25 for the AB which was considered to be one of the two largest contributions. (He also donated Rs 25,000 for the Vadi Dar-e-Meher.) In current terms, the amounts would be equivalent to crores.

Navsari Atash Behram on its 250^th Salgireh

Photo: Jasmine D. Driver

The inner gumbaz room (sanctum) was dedicated to his daughter Meherbai, his parents and other ancestors, as per the plaque above its entrance. Despite being well over 80 years of age, Khurshedji Bapaji took nahn and performed the first Havan gah boi of the atash padshah saheb on the first day of installation. He was felicitated by the Anjuman and his portrait is displayed in the AB hall.
At around that time the Desai clan claimed that the AB and Dar-e-Meher belonged to them and not to the Bhagarsath Anjuman. This was disproved by Ervad (later Dastur) Kaikushru Mahiyar Kutar who did a great deal of research in the matter. He also played a very significant role in collecting contributions for the building. Incidentally, it will be interesting to know that around 1935-’40, leaders of the Desai clan wore black turbans with yellow dots, of identical shape but not the usual white priestly turban! One of them sat on the stage during my navjote performed by Dastur Kutar!

PHIROZE JAMSHEDJI KUTAR
pjekutar@hotmail.com