Current Issue - Religion

"This association will remain unbroken. My ties and memories with the Delhi Parsis and this agiary will remain forever,” declared 60-year-old Ervad Cawas Bagli who was felicitated by the Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) at their Navroz function on August 15, 2025. Retiring as head priest of the Anjuman after 40 years of dedicated service to the Kaikhushru Pallonji Katrak Dar-e-Meher and the Delhi Anjuman, his jovial and friendly personality had endeared him to the community. Known to be approachable at any hour, he revealed, "My phone is never switched off!” 

"It is a matter of pride that youngsters come to me with their problems. Being a priest and friend, I give advice based on my perception of the situation. This has made each interaction meaningful and significant,” he stated whilst acknowledging his gratitude to the community: "Their love and support buoyed my strength and spirit when I was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and again in 2024. The community stood by me like a rock on my road to recovery.”

Determined to be "a chip of the old block and carry forward the legacy of my father Ervad Daraius” who had served as the head priest of the Dar-e-Meher since its inception in 1961 until his demise in 1979, Cawas had stepped into his shoes when he was only 19 years old. "I grew up seeing my father manage the agiary and I always wanted to emulate his ideals of discipline and service in my life… My father was always my hero. His was the greatest influence in my life. To please him was my life’s duty, from wearing well-ironed clothes to polished shoes at all times,” recalled Cawas. His mother Dhun, who had taken over as the manager of Delhi’s Mengusi  Dharamshala in 1979 following the untimely demise of Daraius, was the guiding force for Cawas to join the Delhi agiary. 

Delhi born Cawas was sent to Bombay to learn the religious texts at the age of 13 and became a navar on the first death anniversary of his beloved father in 1980. On his return to Delhi he completed his schooling while learning the afargan, farokshi, satum and boi prayers from the then priests, Ervads Sorabji and Kekobad Gowadia. In 1983, he went to Bombay’s Dadar Athornan Institute to learn further prayers and complete his maratab the following year.

Despite his young age, Cawas executed his duties as head priest with dignity, decorum and a no-nonsense attitude, earning the confidence of the laity. He proudly states how he made himself computer literate in just three months (though the trustees had given him six months in which to do so) and was soon able to provide account statements on Excel. Having observed and learnt the dynamics of electrical and plumbing work, his inputs, ability and presence proved a great help to his mother in running the Dharamshala. He has also been a great support to his wife Binaifer who runs a Parsi cuisine catering service.

In addition to performing ceremonies at the agiary, Cawas represented the community at interfaith prayer meetings at Raj Ghat and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s samadhi for four decades. He was invited for an audience with Pope John Francis when the latter had visited Delhi. In 2019, he travelled to Baku in Azerbaijan to represent the Parsi community at the Yoga Day celebration held there. Two years ago he participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony and thereafter the inauguration of the new Parliament House.

The priest now plans to pursue reading, photography and travel extensively in his retired life. He enjoys living amidst nature and is looking forward to spending time at his retirement home in Bhimtal, near Nainital with short spells in Delhi and Gurgaon.

Photography remains a passion for Cawas who visits the Rajaji National Park and the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve at least twice or thrice a year to photograph wild life in its natural habitat. He is also keen on photographing the elusive snow leopard in the upper reaches of the mountains. Of late, Cawas has taken to photographing step wells in Jaipur, Gwalior and Ajmer. The talented photographer has an Instagram page (forttiger2024) and a website, www.forttiger.com, where he displays his work.

Cawas rues that youngsters today are reluctant to take up priesthood as a profession and are opting for more lucrative occupations. "Priesthood is not very easy and involves a lot of dedication and discipline. Moreover, girls these days are not keen to marry a priest due to the various norms and restrictions to be followed. Religious work is intensive and can become monotonous too,” he adds candidly.

The DPA has managed to find a part-time priest to replace Cawas. "Most priests are unwilling to leave their families in Bombay to come and live in Delhi. At present we are dependent on paramobeds, but a good, full-time priest is a necessity,” he adds, commending the lay people working as paramobeds in agiaries.

While he would like to see youngsters take up priesthood, he cautions, "There are no shortcuts in religion. There are also no shortcuts to training as a navar or behdin pasban. You cannot take the profession and community for granted. The future of our fire temples is in the hands of the community and the priests. The community should respect the priest for his dedication and service to our holy fire.”