From my childhood I was informed that the first four days’ rituals up to charum dahoom cannot be performed if a Zarthoshti’s body has been disposed by any method other than dakhmenashini. However, the first four days’ rituals were conducted for Covid victims after cremation.
I am sure the priests will put forward some reason or the other for their acts, e.g. when a Zarthoshti dies in a place where there is no dakhma, such rituals are conducted.
I no longer visit the atash kadeh but pray at home directly to the sun (Surya) for mental peace rather than going to fire temples where I am not sure whether my prayers and maachis will help me achieve mental or spiritual satisfaction.
Dr SYRUS D. IRANI
syrus_irani@hotmail.com
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