Dugli or jama?

After septuagenarian Ervad Nozer Vajifdar had passed away on March 16, 2020, from burn injuries sustained when his jama (floor length, mulmul priestly robe) caught fire while reciting prayers two days earlier at Aslaji Agiary in central Bombay, Parsiana inquired from Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal what precautions could be taken in fire temples. He noted during rituals such as afringan or satum which are performed by a single priest, and also for the jora nu afringan (where two priests are involved), the mobeds performing the rituals "can, if they so chose, wear a dugli.”

"However, in a jashan done before a mijlis (gathering) or for a lagan or navjote the full priestly regalia is a must,” Kotwal stated. Detailing the requirements, the High Priest stated: "These are our traditions which we must help to preserve to the best of our ability. But I believe that everything must also be done to safeguard our priests.” The High Priest opined that "the trustees of each agiary must strive to make the place as fire compliant as possible. Although this may not always be possible in smaller agiaries, at least a few working fire extinguishers regularly refurbished and sand buckets should be prominently displayed in the agiaries so that it is possible for any person to have access to them in case of an emergency.”
The High Priest was reiterating what he had told us over a decade ago when Parsiana was reporting on the deaths of two priests who had then lost their lives due to fires while performing rituals (see "Death by diva,” Parsiana, August 7, 2009).
Explaining that "the priestly robe is integral to one of the main rituals performed for a deceased” on the fourth morning after death, the High Priest stated that "during the Ushahin gah of the fourth day after the death occurs, the baj of Ardfravash is done among other bajs performed in the fire temple.” During this ritual, a complete set of priestly robes is consecrated in memory of the departed soul. "Religiously speaking, after the robes are consecrated during that baj, the family priest wears the consecrated robe and performs the afrinagan… According to our religious tradition, the family mobed is given the consecrated robe… as a right and it is seen as a celestial robe given to the family priest,” Kotwal explained. "A priest wearing the consecrated jama is required to be careful, alert and vigilant when performing rituals… Our ancient priestly dress…is also pictorially attested in a seventh century CE Zoroastrian ossuary from Mulla Kurgan, Samarkand.”
Vajifdar, a resident of Gamadia Colony in Tardeo, reportedly took a taxi to Bhatia Hospital after suffering the burn injuries. A childhood friend, Gustad Irani told mid-day on March 17 that the priest had suffered 40% burn injuries and subsequently "taken a turn for the worst.” Aslaji Agiary trustee Burjor Antia told the daily that his "entire medical expenses would be borne by us” and that they would also "provide aid to the widow of the priest.”