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Long-stemmed flowers in one hand, sandalwood sticks in the other, generations of Zoroastrians have been fondly remembering the dear departed during the muktad days leading up to or past Navroz. Whether prayers are recited at one’s residence or the fire temple or a prayer hall, by mobeds or mobedyars or family members, for 18 or 10 or five days, as per the Shahenshahi or Kadmi or Fasli calendar, for free, at a nominal or exorbitant cost, invoking the blessings of the fravashis (guardian spirits) is considered a worthy act.

   Photo: Jasmine D. Driver

The Fravardegan or muktad days are normally associated with three invocations by mobeds: afringan (prayer expressive of love or praise where the names of the deceased are mentioned); satum (prayer recited on meals in honor of the dead); farokshi (prayer intended to remember, invoke and praise the fravashis of the dead).

In Parsiana’s 60th year, we sought to ascertain whether there has been a change in the observance of muktads in the last six decades by approaching the high priests in India, the president of the North American Mobeds Council,  panthakies of fire temples in Bombay whose email addresses were known to us, office bearers of major anjumans in India and Zoroastrian associations overseas. A couple of respondents returned our short questionnaire (with seven questions for those in India and eight questions for those overseas) within 24 hours of our sending them out in the first week of July 2024. Some needed more time and others more reminders. Parsiana is grateful to all those who have made time to share their knowledge, insights and visuals of muktads in their respective zones. Many in Bombay did not respond. It is possible they may not have received the email or may not have the requisite information or felt they were not the appropriate authority or did not want to divulge the information.

High Priests 

"What matters in religious activities is neither wealth nor show, but sincere and solemn intention to perform ceremonies properly and with devotion,” opined Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal of the H. B. Wadia Atash Behram. "There is largely an element of business that has crept into the performance of ceremonies for the dear departed. If Zoroastrians celebrate muktad in full piety in their own homes and recite prayers in all five watches of the day for the dear departed, they will themselves feel the presence of souls spiritually in their own home,” he added.  

He was of the opinion that ceremonies be performed in the first year following a demise and thereafter on death anniversary days depending on one’s wish and resources. Reciting the "satum-no kardo (section of the satum prayer) for the departed is quite sufficient for persons who cannot afford to do ceremonies continuously,” he stated.

Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada reminisced that when he was a boy, there would be about 12 to 15 family homes in town that observed muktads at their residence. As per tradition, muktad vases are never laid out inside the Iranshah. They have no panthaky system (where the priest in charge and his deputies tend to the religious requirements of certain families). All boiwallas (who perform ceremonies in the sanctum sanctorum at the change of gah) used to observe muktads in their own homes. Nostalgically, he recalled that homes would become places of worship: "Sukhar-loban no pamrat aavto réh (the fragrance of sandalwood and loban would permeate). We would go to neighbors’ homes to pay respects.” In abodes where the muktads were observed, all family members got together in the post sunset Aiwisruthrem gah and prayed the Muktad no namaskar after the farajiyat (obligatory) prayers. 

Now there are only three venues in Udvada — the Pundole Agiary, one home near the station and his own home — where muktad rituals are conducted. However, on payment of Rs 500 (six US dollars) one name is included in the afringan, farokshi and satum prayed at the Iranshah during muktads. For each family, there should be only one muktad table bearing all relatives’ beras (vases) and one set of prayers. "Otherwise priests get overworked,” he remarked. 

Observed Dastur Tehemton B. Mirza of Udvada, "The traditions and rituals surrounding the muktad prayers have remained remarkably consistent and unchanged here in Udvada throughout my lifetime. As someone who was ordained as a navar in 1992, I have faithfully observed and participated in these sacred ceremonies for nearly three decades and can attest that the core practices and customs have stayed true to their roots without significant alteration. The muktad prayers unfold in the same reverent manner, with the same chants, offerings and routines passed down through generations. In a constantly evolving world, it is a true blessing to return to these hallowed rituals, year after year, and find them unchanged — a steadfast anchor amidst the tides of change.”

Citing the figures of the Bag e Parsa Agiary in Surat, Dastur Cyrus Dastur stated that in the last five years there has been a 25% decline in the number of priests, anjuman tables (bearing vases of many families) and separate tables (per family) during muktads. The number of priests has reduced from 20 to 15, the anjuman tables from four to three and separate tables from 40 to 30. The priests are required to pray between five to eight hours a day during the muktads. Since different fire temples charge different rates, he did not specify the cost for 10 days of muktad rituals.

In Bombay

Parsiana reached out to panthakies of 18 well patronized fire temples in Bombay but responses were received from only three. 

Ervad Hormuz Dadachanji, head priest of Mody Sorabjee Vachaghandhy Agiary at Hughes Road, reported that for 2024 he has nearly 35 priests scheduled to join him for the muktad prayers from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. The figure is nearly the same as five years ago. They recite farokshi prayers, that too collectively, only in the first year after death. From the second year onwards the baj prayer in honor of the fravashis [where offerings like darun (sacred bread), fruit, milk are prerequisites] is also done collectively. In 2024 there will be approximately 115 separate tables and four anjuman tables. Only those who opt for 10-day prayers are permitted separate tables for which the charges are upwards of Rs 25,000 (USD 298). Five years ago it was around Rs 20,000 (USD 238). Those who opt for anjuman tables are given the option of separate prayers for 10 days or any one day or having the name included in collective prayers. Most of the families opt to continue with muktad prayers for two to five years.

Ervad Kersi Bhadha, manager cum boiwalla of the M. J. Wadia Fire Temple at Lalbaug stated that they have 15 priests who participate in the muktads, praying more than eight hours each day. Since most families opt to continue with muktads for more than five years, the priests try to rationalize the number of prayers recited. As compared to 120 separate tables and two anjuman tables in 2019, this year there will be 110 separate tables and two anjuman tables. The charges for muktads this year will be Rs 32,000 (USD 382).

At the Godavara Gamadia Agiary at Fort the number of separate tables has gone up from nine to 10 in the last five years while there continues to remain only one anjuman table, stated the panthaky, Ervad Firdaus Pavri. He estimated that in 1964 when there were nearly a dozen priests there must have been over 60 separate tables and at least four to five anjuman tables. For the last five years there has been only one other priest who joins him during muktads, both of them required to pray from five to eight hours each day. A common afringan, farokshi, satum and baj are done  for those who opt for an anjuman table. Families affiliated to this agiary continue with muktads for more than five years. The charges are Rs 25,000 (USD 298) for a separate table and Rs 15,000 (USD 179) for an anjuman table in 2024 as compared to Rs 18,500 (USD 221) for a separate table and Rs 11,000 (USD 131) for an anjuman table in 2019.

In east, west, north and central India

For the rest of India, we approached priests and office bearers in nine cities but received inputs from four.

In 2024, Calcutta expects 44 separate tables. There were 48 separate tables in 2019, plus one anjuman table, stated Ervad Jimmy Taraporwalla, panthaky of the D. B. Mehta Atash Adaran. Most families choose to continue with muktad prayers for more than five years that will require five priests to pray between five to eight hours during the muktad days in 2024 as compared to six priests in 2019. The cost of muktad prayers works out to Rs 12,500 (USD 149) for a separate table in 2024.

 

The cost of muktad prayers for separate tables in Delhi works out to Rs 12,000 (USD 43) for one vase with Rs 5,000 (USD 60) for each additional vase. For the anjuman table the cost is Rs 5,000 per vase. The prayers for those who opt for anjuman tables commence at 9 a.m. during the muktad days; those who prefer separate tables can decide on a mutually convenient time with the head priest Ervad Cawas Bagli. The Delhi Parsi Anjuman also organizes an anjuman jashan at the Kaikhushru Pallonji Katrak Dar-e-Meher on every Fravardin roz for which families can pay Rs 1,000 per name, per year. 

At the Khurshed Hall in Navsari, a prayer hall where muktad ceremonies are performed, the panthaky Ervad Khurshed Desai stated that as compared to five separate tables in 2019 there were 13 in 2024. There were two anjuman tables in both the years. With families opting for five plus years of muktad prayers, as compared to two priests engaged in 2019, there were five in 2024 praying the afringan, farokshi, baj, satum for five to eight hours during the muktad days. While a separate table cost Rs 22,500 (USD 268) and Rs 1,200 (USD 14) for the anjuman table in 2024, five years ago the cost was Rs 19,000 (USD 226) for a separate table and Rs 900 (USD 11) for the anjuman table.

In Nagpur, there will be 10 separate tables and 26 vases on the anjuman table in 2024 as compared to 24 separate tables and 34 vases on the anjuman table five years ago, mentioned the panthaky of Bai Hirabai Nuservanji Mullan Dare Meher, Ervad Percy Panthaky. Since most families opt for muktad prayers for two to five years there are two priests who are required to pray for up to four hours each day. For the individual tables they pray afringan, farokshi, satum (three times) and baj separately while for the anjuman table common prayers are recited. "In Nagpur, behdins are very understanding and cooperative,” reported Panthaky. In 2024, the cost for a separate table will be Rs 18,000 (USD 215) and for the anjuman table Rs 3,500 (USD 42) as compared to Rs 13,500 (USD 161) for a separate table and Rs 2,000 (USD 24) for an anjuman table five years ago.

In North America

"In the early 1960s, as Parsiana was taking flight, a debate was brewing amongst the mobeds and scholars in India. The question at hand was whether the 18 days of muktad observances were necessary or if 10 days were sufficient,” recalled Ervad Tehemton F. Mirza, president of the North American Mobeds Council. Ultimately the laity were left to make their own decisions.

"Fast-forward to 2024. North America has generally accepted five Gatha days as an appropriate period for muktad observances. Daily communal prayers are held when all the fravashis are remembered and revered in a singular afringan and satum prayer, followed by a recital of a paragraph from the relevant Gatha and a short talk by our mobeds. These prayers are followed by a communal meal and fellowship. Mobeds volunteer their services, and the laity contributes towards the food and ritual offerings for the visiting fravashis and the congregation that gather to remember and revere them,” summed up the president.

Associations with a predominantly Parsi population observe muktads in August according to the Shahenshahi calendar and, if there is a large Iranian component, for one or more days in March, according to the Fasli calendar. Some large associations observe muktads twice a year. "In North American cities with sparse Zoroastrian populations and no places of worship, muktads are observed in individual residences while adhering to purity and ritual requirements. In the absence of mobeds, ceremonies are performed by mobedyars and the laity,” clarified Tehemton F. Mirza.

In Canada

At the Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation, on an average they receive 250 names for the Fasli muktad and 400 names for the Shahenshahi muktads, usually beyond five years, stated president Neville Patrawala. During the five Gatha days the 15 mobeds and mobedyars perform the morning, afternoon and evening satums, afringans, farokshi and baj prayers and the humbandagi (congregational prayer) after the evening satum prayers. They also pray the post midnight afringan and satum before lifting the vases. While  the muktad rituals were introduced in 2004, there is no charge for any community religious ceremony performed at the Zoroastrian Religious and Cultural Center. The 125 families who participate in the muktads can be depended on for donations in cash and food items, sukhad, loban and taachho.

At the Mehraban Guiv Darbe Mehr in Ontario, members are encouraged to submit names of their departed loved ones by filling a Farvardegan form ahead of the five Gatha days when there will be morning, afternoon and evening satum sessions in addition to the afringan and farokshi in the morning and humbandagi in the evening. While the morning satum will be followed by lunch and the evening satum by dinner, members are encouraged to give online monetary contributions as also donations in kind by way of sandalwood, fruits, flowers, food (malido, papri, ravo, mithai). Prior to the muktads, members are urged to volunteer for the Darbe Mehr clean-up.

  Prayer Room at the Arbab Rustam Guiv Dar-e-Meher in Chicago

In USA

The Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago has been organizing Shahenshahi muktads at their Arbab Rustam Guiv Dar-e-Meher for the last 40 years, noted the Association past president Kayormarsh Mehta. Thirteen mobeds and one mobedyar participate in the five-day prayers organized by Ervad Pesi Vazifdar and his wife Aban. Over 100 families from Chicago joined by several others from neighboring states participate in the muktad prayers when three afringans and afrins (benedictions) are recited in the main hall followed by a humbandagi of satum and Muktad no namaskar led by the mobeds in the prayer room which has flower vases on marble tables. On the fifth Vahishtoisht Gatha in the Ushahin gah, they have the Valaavo ritual when the fravashis are bid farewell with an afringan ceremony. 

Most families choose to have prayers said for more than five years and pay  USD 50 (Rs 4,186) per name when included in the collective prayers. If they want separate prayers, families have to pay USD 500 (Rs 41,865) with a limit of five names per family. On weekends the prayers are conducted in the morning, and on week days in the evening to facilitate maximum participation. After the prayers simple meals organized by Dinaz Weber and other volunteers are served at a nominal contribution of five dollars.

In Washington, muktad prayers were recited beginning the mid 1990s in rented premises. After the opening of their Kamran Dar-e-Mehr and Zoroastrian Center in 2014, prayers are organized there, stated Mobedyar Hormuzd Katki who is now single-handedly managing the event. Since there are more than 300 names to be recited and only one mobedyar, he performs a two-afringan jashan followed by three afrins on one of the Gatha days.  Charging five dollars (Rs 418) per name, he has noticed that the majority opt for prayers for over five years. The Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington Incorporated has about 500 members with a large Iranian community but muktad prayers are organized only in August.

Since the opening of their Bhandara Atash Kadeh five years ago, the Zoroastrian Association of Houston has been organizing muktad prayers for 10 days in August, responded Persis Behramsha on behalf of the Atash Kadeh Committee. They have two to three regular Atash Kadeh mobeds who are joined by young mobeds occasionally to recite the afringan, farokshi, (Gatha Khshnuman on Gatha days), satum and pachhli raat Valaavo prayers for 35 to 40 families. Charged USD 300 (Rs 25,119) for the service, inclusive of fruits and daily replenishment of flowers, many families opt to continue with prayers for more than five years. In 2019 the charges were USD 200 (Rs 16,746) exclusive of flowers.

In Hong Kong

Around 25 to 30 families in Hong Kong avail of the 10 days of Shahenshahi muktads organized by the resident priest Ervad Dinyar Karkaria at the Zoroastrian Building. In addition to the afringan and satum he prays three kardas and three afrins plus Gahanbar ni afrin during the Gatha days. Muktads were initiated around 1996 by the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hongkong Canton and Macao. On an average families opt to continue with muktad prayers for two to five years following a demise. 

In Karachi

Around 30 families avail of the muktad facilities at Karachi’s Wadia Dar-e-Meher (Gari Khata Agiary) established in 1869 where they perform the 10-day Shahenshahi and Kadmi muktads, stated the panthaky, Ervad Burjise Bhada. There are five to six mobeds to perform the daily afringan prayers and the jashan for each table. On an average families opt for prayers for only the first year, the cost working out to PKR 45,000 (INR 13,507) inclusive of flowers, fruits and jashan in 2024 as compared to PKR 27,000 (INR 8,104) five years earlier.

In London

At the Zoroastrian Centre in London, over 200 vases are laid out during the 10 Shahenshahi muktad days and around 600 names invoked. The muktads were started by Dastur (Dr) Sorabji Kutar "around the same time when Parsiana was established,” stated Malcolm Deboo, president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe. There are four priests who join in the regular muktad prayers on week days and six or seven on weekends. Some families have been known to continue with muktad prayers for 25 to 30 years. Between 2000 to 2023 the charges were £ 10 (Rs 1,076) per vase and £ 10 per name and have now been revised to £ 15 (Rs 1,614) per vase and £ 15 per name. For the convenience of Iranian Zoroastrians, since 2009 the muktads are also observed in March, on a Sunday that coincides with the Gatha days/panjeh.  

  5 & 6: at the Foroud Shahlori Dar be Mehr in Auckland

In Auckland

At the Foroud Shahlori Dar be Mehr in Auckland, New Zealand, muktads have been observed during the five Gatha days in August for over a decade, stated trustees Aspandiar and Foroud Shahlori. Since all the mobeds provide voluntary service, they work on a roster basis to pray the baj, satum, farokshi, behru jashan for the families who avail of muktad services, a few of whom have been continuing  for over five years. The charges are NZD 50 (Rs 2,467) for the first three names with five more dollars for each additional name. This includes the cost of flowers and fruits with the remainder presented to the priests as a token amount. In 2009 the charges were NZD 25 (Rs 1,227) for the first three names.

In Sydney

At the Arbab Rostam and Morvarid Guiv Darbe Meher in Sydney, the Shahenshahi muktads have been held on an annual basis since 2018 although they were held sporadically prior to that. Between 10 to 12 mobeds are rostered for prayers over six days: on the first day of muktad, roz Ashtad, mah Spandarmad and the five Gatha days when one mobed recites the farokshi with satum and one or more mobed recites the afringan, according to the response submitted by Ervad (Dr) Peshotan Katrak and forwarded to Parsiana by Sarosh Batliwalla, president of the Australian Zoroastrian Association. The paachli raat na prayers are also included in the muktad package for which 30 to 40 families submit names. Since 2018 the Association charges AUD 50 (Rs 2,744) for two names and AUD 100 (Rs 5,488) for up to six names. All proceeds are donated to the Association after deducting the expenses.

The Fravardin Yasht mentions that during the Hamas-path-maedhem gahanbar (covering the five Gatha days) "the Fravashis come to this world with the desire to be praised, revered, invoked and remembered individually by their names,” reminds Kayomarsh Mehta, past chair of the Religion Education Committee of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America in his article submitted to the newsletter of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago. "Dwelling upon their attributes and achievements stimulates us to further the cause of righteousness…During the Fravardegan days it is incumbent upon all true Zarathushtis to make their offerings” by donating alms or service.