Consecrated in California

After 48 hours of prayers offered by Mobeds Zarrir and Zerkxis Bhandara to sanctify the beautiful edifice, members of the Zoroastrian Association of California (ZAC) in Los Angeles took pride when balloons were released and the ribbon was cut to mark the opening of the Atash Kadeh on November 13, 2016, roz Mahrespand, mah Khordad. The ribbon was ceremoniously snipped by two couples, major donors Ervad Ardaviraf and Hootoxi Minocherhomjee, and architect Sohrab Charna and his wife Sharon at 9 a.m. to the sounds of a joyous rendition of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti, according to a report of the event by ZAC president Tehmi Damania.

(From left) Ardaviraf and Hootoxi Minocherhomjee, Sharon and Sohrab Charna cut the ribbon

Tehmi Damania

The first boi in the prayer hall was performed by Mobed Zarrir followed by a hama anjuman jashan by 12 priests. Since the prayer hall can only accommodate about 100 guests, arrangements were made to stream the proceedings to the assembly seated in the main Arjani Hall of the ZAC Center. An incessant stream of families offered sandalwood and lit tea lamps after the inaugural jashan as seen from the photos posted on their website. The foundation stone for the nearly 2,000 sq ft Atash Kadeh, at a distance of 12 feet from their ZAC Center, had been laid in October 2015 (see "Khushaali in California,” Zoroastrians Abroad, Parsiana, December 7, 2015). It was built at a cost of nearly $ 600,000 (Rs 41,400,000).
After the chasni and refreshments, ZAC vice president Perinne Medora welcomed the nearly 250 strong gathering and served as master of ceremonies for the morning. Thirteen Zarathushti children trained by Houtoxi Contractor rendered songs which won them a standing ovation.
Homi Gandhi, president of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), who now resides in California, congratulated the ZAC team on this remarkable achievement and mentioned that FEZANA encourages all member associations to have their own prayer hall for use by the community and to keep the flame of the religion burning.
Zarrir read out a congratulatory message received from Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal of Bombay and talked about the importance of fire and prayers in the lives of Zarathushtis. On behalf of ZAC, Damania felicitated the Charnas, Feridoun Ghostasbi, a Zoroastrian builder (NIPA Construction), Firdosh Mehta who was responsible for bringing the aalat from the Jalna agiary in India, Ervad Kobad Zarolia, former president of the North American Mobeds Council who guided ZAC on the essentials for an atash kadeh, and the principal donors, the Minocherhomjees and Tehemtan Arjani.
The celebrations were followed by a delectable lunch of dhan dar, kolmi no patio, sali murghi and lagan nu custard prepared by community volunteers under the directions of Bomi Patel, former FEZANA president, who donned the chef’s cap, and his wife Binaifer.