The Seth Pestonji Vakil Kadmi Atash Behram (pictured), located in the Shahpore area of Surat, is 197 years old and is fast approaching its bi-centenary. Shahpore has a sizeable Parsi population. The fire temple is spread over a beautiful area and is perhaps the only Parsi holy spot in Surat with a garden. Residents have a lot of faith in it. It is the venue of many ceremonies, marriages, navjotes, jashans, feasts, lectures, religious classes and uthamnas.
The trustees of the fire temple are Hoshi Malegam, Hormuzdiar Patel, Nozer Variava and Behzad Kharas, while the joint managing trustees are Homi Vakil and Burzin Chiniwala.
The fire temple entered its 197th year on Kadmi roz Ardibehesht, mah Tir (October 18, 2019). With increasing costs and declining interest rates it is difficult to match income with expenditure. In the past we have received good responses to our appeals for funds. Without this support, it would have been very difficult to run the fire temple. Funds are necessary to keep the atash padshah well maintained in future years too. The generosity of community members and trusts has until now maintained the Atash Behram. We seek the same generosity today and are confident that the community will respond positively to our appeal. All donations, whether small or large, are welcome. Details of donations above Rs 25,000 will be displayed on a marble plaque near the fire temple’s entrance.
Cheques may be drawn in favor of "P. K. Vakil Kadmi Atash Behram Fire Temple Trust” and sent to our address at Pestonji Vakil Street, Near Surat Parsi Panchayat, Shahpore, Surat 395003. Enquiries may also be made at this address. Donors are requested to include their PAN card details. Donations are exempt under Section 80-G (5).
NOZER VARIAVA
Trustee, Seth Pestonji Vakil Kadmi Atash Behram
Surat