At one time there were 400 Zoroastrians living in Jhansi, in Uttar Pradesh. Most of them worked for the GIP (Great Indian Peninsular) Railways, now Indian Railways, while some were businessmen. Today there are only 25 Parsis left in Jhansi, all retired.
The Jhansi Parsi Dharamsala is located in the prime area of Sipri Bazar while the 130-year-old aramgah is in the Cantonment area. The aramgah is well maintained and the 360 graves are kept neat and clean. Every year the Jhansi Parsi Anjuman has a jashan ceremony on Fravardin mah, Fravardin roz at the cemetery.
Credit for the cleanliness at and upkeep of the Dharamsala and for bringing Ervad Rummy K. Panthaky to Jhansi from Bombay goes to Anjuman secretary Dhanji Billimoria and president Ronny J. Dick who has been on the board for the past 40 years.
The navjote ceremony of Burzin Farokh Pestonji was performed in Jhansi by Panthaky on February 27, 2011, 27 years after the last navjote performed there. About 65 residents of Jhansi who are now settled in Australia, America, Dubai, Poona and Bombay attended this function. They also paid their respects at the aramgah.
(Clockwise from top): Prayer hall in Jhansi; navjotes of Firoz and Farokh Pestonji; Sunday religious classes Photos: www.parsisinjhansi.com
The Jhansi Parsi Anjuman organized a jashan for the entire community at the Dharamsala on February 26, followed by a dinner, which was appreciated by all. Another jashan was held at the aramgah on the morning of February 28, attended by all the Parsi residents. Photographs taken on these occasions are available on our website www. parsisinjhansi.com which is single-handedly maintained by Firoz K. Pestonji of Australia. He has made great efforts to collect all the photographs and minutes which are available on the website.
RONNY J. DICK
President
D. BILLIMORIA
Secretary, Jhansi Parsi Anjuman