"As the world comes together to celebrate the richness of our cultural heritage, this recognition… magnifies the importance of the Anjuman Agiary (Khan Bahadur Edulji Sohrabji Chenai Anjuman Dar-E-Meher) as a custodian of our collective history and tradition, symbolizing the essence of our shared identity,” stated Khorshed Chenai, Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad (PZASH) president in a broadcast message to community members when the 103-year-old fire temple was honored with the prestigious INTACH Award. "We express our deepest gratitude to INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) for honoring us with this esteemed award on World Heritage Day (April 18, 2024), a day dedicated to celebrating and preserving our cultural heritage worldwide… This recognition fuels our commitment to safeguarding our heritage for future generations.”
Top: Khan Bahadur Edulji Sohrabji Chenai Anjuman Dar-E-Meher; inset: Homi Chenoy with award
Homi Chenoy, PZASH honorary secretary-trustee collected the award on behalf of the Anjuman at a function held on April 18 at Bhagavan Mahaveer Auditorium.
Consecrated on August 8, 1920, the fire temple was built by Jamshedji Edulji Chenoy, along with his brothers in memory of their father Khan Bahadur Edulji Sohrabji Chenoy. "The recognition highlights the significance of the agiary in preserving the collective history and tradition of the Parsis in the city,” stated the Deccan Chronicle of April 19, 2024.
PZASH trustee Jehangir Bisney told Parsiana that "gratitude goes to the mobeds and agiary worker for their meticulous upkeep of the sacred fire; to PZASH president Chenai; honorary secretary-trustee Chenoy; past honorary secretary Kersi Patel for the renovations and maintaining the premises with care… Special recognition also goes to the ex-president Gulbanoo Chenoy and ex-trustee late Dr Pouruchisti Chenoy for their invaluable guidance and support for the community and the fire temple.”
All three fire temples in the twin cities now have INTACH awards. The Anjuman Agiary joins the 1839 built Seth Viccajee-Seth Pestonji Meherji Parsi Fire Temple which was recognized in 1999, and the 1904 built Bai Maneckji Nusserwanji Chenoy Dar-e-Meher which received the honor in 2018.
Beyniaz Edulji