A two-mobed jashan, a gathering of around 40 and a dinner sponsored by the Solapur Parsi Anjuman (SPA) marked the 175th anniversary of the Vicajee Meherjee Dare Meher in that city on July 21, 2019. Resident mobed Ervad Jal Dhabhar and Ervad Porus Sinor who came in from Poona performed the ceremony, noted trustee Samannaz Irani while speaking to Parsiana on July 22. Fourth-generation priest 78-year-old Dhabhar is assisted by Anjuman trustee behdin paasban Vistasp Munshi. Muktads have not been held in the city for the last five years on account of Dhabhar’s infirmity, noted SPA vice president Zubin Amaria in an email to Parsiana. The verandah of the SPA-owned Multipurpose Hall was the venue of the dinner.
Besides the Agiary, which stands on 1.5 acres of land in South Sadar Bazar, other SPA assets include the 1905-built Faramji Dinshawji Petit dakhma/aramgah which is spread over five acres at Kumtha Naka, "which is now within city limits.” The last body consigned to the dakhma was 20 years ago, said Amaria. A residence for mobeds was built by Pirojbai Umrigar in 1908. Four Parsi families reside in the Faramjee Nanabhoy Boyce Blocks built in 1948. Two families live in homes above the Solapur Parsi Anjuman Multipurpose Hall. The Hall was built by the Anjuman trustees in 1977 and is on lease to the Life Insurance Corporation of India which uses it as an agents’ training center. The Mazda Shopping Complex having 12 shops which are rented out has a hall on the top floor built by the trustees in 1980.
Above, from l, 1st row: Vicajee Meherjee Dare Meher in Sholapur; entrance to fire temple Photos: Farzan Mazda;
2nd row: Behram Irani, Filli Lal, Monaz Pithawala, Minoo Pithawala, Samannaz Irani, Farhiz Darukhanawala, Zubin Amaria;
3rd row: Ervads Porus Sinor and Jal Dhabhar, behdin paasban Vistasp Munshi, Zarin Amaria Photos: Khushroo Lal and Farzin Irani
"The aramgah premises are difficult to maintain… its large boundary walls (are) broken,” noted Amaria. The Anjuman approached the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India for financial assistance three years ago, to rebuild the boundary wall. "The topic was also discussed in its annual general meeting,” the vice president noted. No funds have been received. "As for other properties they are safe and well looked after.”
While the office bearers say the name of the fire temple is Vicajee Meherjee Dare Meher, Marzban Giara’s Global Directory of Zoroastrian Fire Temples states the name as Vicajee and Pestonji Meherji Daremeher. The tablet in the fire temple records that it was built by Vicajee Meherjee.
Amaria noted that the 20-family, 75-member Sholapur community saw one marriage, one birth and three deaths in the last three years. "We meet once in three months to celebrate birthdays and have birthday dinners…we also meet on all festive occasions and have a contributory dinner at a hotel,” he noted. An annual gahanbar is held, he added.
Established in 1840, the Anjuman, which lies about 400 km southeast of Bombay, is registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act of 1950. The other trustees are Dhun Lal, Farhiz Darukhanawala, Monaz Pithawala, Minoo Pithawala, Chirag Ichhaporia. Fresh elections will be held in 2020, noted Amaria. The Anjuman’s bye laws specify a term of four years for trusteeship. Office bearers include president Zarin Amaria, honorary secretary Filli Lal and treasurer Behram Irani.