Just as no community can survive without a strong religious foundation, no religion can survive without an enlightened clergy. The success and survival of our Zoroastrian community is therefore directly linked to our religion and our priests. Training and inducting new mobeds is vital, for without them we will face a bleak future as the true essence of our scriptures and tenets can only be understood by the laity if explained by an enlightened clergy.
The Dadar Athornan Institute (DAI) was established in 1919 by the Athornan Mandal, Bombay, to train youth from athornan families to imbibe religious knowledge. The trustees are Dastur Khurshed K. Dastoor, Prof Ervad Nadir A. Modi, Ervad Asphandiar R. Dadachanji, Ervad Vispi S. Dastur, Ervad Parvez M. Bajan, Homi P. Ranina, Ervad Hoshang N. Sinor and Ervad Cyrus D. Unwalla. Our Institute, popularly known as Dadar Madressa is celebrating its centenary year. Thousands of young athornans have received training at DAI, and earned name and fame for themselves, their families as well as to the Institute where they received their training.
At present we have 25 students who are being trained for priesthood and taught religious scriptures, rituals, religion and Iranian history, apart from academic education up to the Secondary School Certificate level. Boarding, lodging, education and all other facilities are provided free of charge. The expense incurred on each child is in the region of Rs 2,00,000 per annum.
To sustain our institution and ensure that we continue our mission, the trustees seek generous financial support from individuals, supporters, well-wishers, philanthropists through donations made either in cash or by cheque favoring "Athornan Mandal,” sent to The Principal, Dadar Athornan Institute, 651-52, Firdausi Road, Parsi Colony, Dadar, Bombay 400014, India.
The Athornan Mandal is also authorized to receive donations from overseas. Foreign donors can transfer funds directly to Athornan Mandal’s FCRA Bank Account (account name: Athornan Mandal; Saving Bank A/c. No 1000691715; IFSC: CBIN0280634; bank name: Central Bank of India, Wadala Branch) through either SWIFT, NEFT/RTGS.
Should any further information be required, please contact us on +91-22-24138086; email: info@dadarathornaninstitute.org or write to The Joint Honorary Secretaries, Athornan Mandal, 240, Navsari Bldg., 2nd Floor, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Fort, Bombay 400001, India; tel: +91-22-2207 0784.
Ervad (Dr) RAMIYAR KARANJIA
Principal, Dadar Athornan Institute
ramiyark@gmail.com