"After a long time such higher liturgical ceremonies were being held in Hyderabad,” notes Russi Doctor, secretary and treasurer of the Bai Maneckbai Nusserwanji Chenoy Fire Temple Endowment Trust, Hyderabad. Two yazashnes and one vendidad ceremony were held in the kebla room of the 112-year-old place of worship on June 26 and 27, 2017. The ceremonies marked the end of the renovations to the fire temple, notes Doctor in his write-up. The holy fire had to be shifted out of the sanctum sanctorum for a period of two months starting April this year while the renovations were in progress. Ervads Adil Bhesania and Mahiyar Panthaki from Bombay were invited to conduct the ceremonies.
Top: The Bai Maneckbai Nusserwanji Chenoy Agiary Photo: Jasmine D. Diver;
Above: Ervads Mahiyar Panthaki, Mehernosh Bharucha, Asphandiar
Dadachanji and Adil Bhesania (5th to 8th from left) with other mobeds
The ceremonies were conducted in memory of Perin Dastoor by her two daughters, Meher Dastoor and Farida Antia and grandchildren Sanaea Chichgar and Khushro Antia. About 40 Parsis attended the ceremonies, states Doctor in response to Parsiana’s queries. Other expenses for reinstallation were borne by the Trust.
The yazashne ceremonies commenced on June 26 and the vendidad at 12.30 a.m. on June 27, after which the holy fire was reinstalled in the kebla room. Ervad Asphandiar Dadachanji of Bombay was specially invited to assist in the reinstallation of the holy fire. A maachi in Havan gah offered by Dadachanji followed the reinstallation. Mobeds from Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Bombay joined in a thanksgiving jashan led by Dadachanji. About 80 community members attended, says Doctor. A talk by Dadachanji on "Atash Padshah Saheb ni bandagi ané téna faida (Prayers to the holy fire and its benefits)” was followed by a vote of thanks by Agiary panthaky, Mehernosh Bharucha. High tea followed.
The Agiary trustees are Mehernosh Chenoy, Daraius Chenai, Homi Chinoy, Nadir Chinoy and Shapoor Toorkey.