No religion can survive without an enlightened clergy. The success and survival of the Zoroastrian religion is therefore directly linked to our priests (mobeds). Training well educated mobeds is very vital for our community for without trained erudite priests we risk a bleak future for our religion.
The Dadar Athornan Institute (DAI), popularly known as Dadar Madressa, established in 1919 by the Athornan Mandal, Bombay, 
has been training youths from priestly families for over 100 years. More than 500 young athornans have received training here and earned name and fame for themselves, their families as well as for the DAI.
At present 25 students are studying at the DAI at various levels. They are being trained for priesthood and taught religious scriptures, rituals, religion and Iranian history, apart from academic education up to the school leaving level. Boarding, lodging, education and all other facilities are provided totally free of charge.
The expense incurred on each child is in the region of Rs 2,00,000 per annum. To make our institution self-sufficient, the trustees seek generous financial support from individuals, supporters, well-wishers and philanthropists through donations, made either in cash or by cheque, favoring the "Athornan Mandal,” and sent to: The Principal, Dadar Athornan Institute, 651-52, Firdausi Road, Parsi Colony, Dadar, Bombay 400014, India.
Donors in India and abroad can transfer funds directly to the Athornan Mandal’s bank account. For any further information, please contact us on phone +91-22-24138086; email: info@dadarathornaninstitute.org or write to The Joint Honorary Secretaries, Athornan Mandal, 240, Navsari Building., 2nd fl, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Fort, Bombay 400001. Phone +91-22-2207 0784.
ERVAD (Dr) RAMIYAR KARANJIA
Principal, Dadar Athornan Institute
ramiyark@gmail.com