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Explaining the genesis of this project co vice chair of the Interfaith Network for the UK, Dorab Mistry wrote, "the original Tirupati Temple in India is surrounded by the seven Tirumala Hills which serve as protectors of Lord Venkateshwara." This 15-year-old temple in the UK being affiliated to the Sri Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati, "the founder chair of the Temple Dr Narayan Rao put forward a unique idea: Why not create seven small hills around the Balaji Temple complex and dedicate each hill to a different faith? That would be an ideal interfaith gesture from the Hindu community."

 

To the beat of dholak and strains of shehnai by the South Indian musicians, a procession of around 200 Zoroastrians along with 200 Temple devotees made its way around the complex until they reached the Hill atop which stood the Farohar. After the welcome by Rao and the unveiling of the impressive work of art crafted from Tata Steel by artist Luke Perry, followed chanting of prayers by Zoroastrian priests led by Ervad Rusi Bhedwar from the UK and Ervads Bahadur and Ferdaus Nalladaroo of Bombay’s Banaji Atash Behram. Other priests who joined in the prayers were Ervads Zaal Sethna, Zubin Writer, Yazad Amalsad and Jimmy Madon. The congregation then joined in a hambandagi. Yet another imprint on the Hill was a granite plaque bearing "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds — Humata, Hukhta Huvarashta" unveiled by the Temple trustees and priests together with the Zoroastrian priests.

 

 

Once the congregation was settled under a huge shamiana, master of ceremonies Raaj Shamji who took a keen interest in the execution of this project along with Jimmy Suratia, chairman of the North West Zoroastrian Community, introduced the day’s speakers and guided the proceedings that celebrated the contributions of Dadabhai Naoroji, Jamsetji Tata and Freddie Mercury. One of the temple trustees, Dr Raja, provided a brief history of the Temple and its vision that has led to it being the second most frequented temple in the UK with 3,000 visitors a week, second only to the Swaminarayan Temple in London.

 

Former president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) Mistry presented a slide show "From HMS Trincomalee to Jaguar Land Rover" highlighting the contribution of UK Parsis. Giving a brief history of ZTFE, president Malcolm Deboo elaborated on the basic tenets of Zoroastrianism. Bilimoria referred to his roots in India when as a child of a military officer he prayed at different places of worship, his family connections to Birmingham and his pride in being a Zoroastrian, an Indian, a British Peer and a UK citizen. Cooke acknowledged the honor to her brother while her son recounted stories connected to his uncle. The Temple trustees honored Bilimoria as also Kashmira and Roger Cooke with shawls. ZTFE presented its Sesquicentennial Gold Medal to Rao and Shamji.

 

Among the other speakers were Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya who being one of the five core members who selected Ratan Tata’s successor Cyrus Mistry referred to the philanthropy, ethics and acumen that characterize all Tata concerns. Perry expressed his gratitude at being given an opportunity to research on Zoroastrianism and craft a three-dimensional farohar. He views this piece as a monument to the union of different peoples in the Black Country, and as a solid reality that together beautiful things are created when cultures meet. Darayus Motivala, former chairman and president of the World Zoroastrian Organisation gave an overview of their charitable work. Kusoom Vadgama alluded to the contributions made by outstanding Parsi women of yore.

 

Before the Zoroastrian visitors departed, they were given a tour of the Temple and treated to a sumptuous vegetarian dinner. When Rao asked the guests if they would like to make this an annual feature the audience voiced its approval. Deboo though insisted that ZTFE would like to reciprocate by inviting the Hindu brethren to the Zoroastrian Centre in London as well as the Everlasting Flame Exhibition at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

 

Interspersed with the speeches were cultural events to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti that was five days away. A Bharat Natyam performance on Vande Mataram by one of the local students set the tone for patriotism as did the flute rendition by 17-year-old Jessica Mistry of Gandhiji’s favorite bhajan Vaishnava jana to.

 

On behalf of the Zoroastrian community Suratia thanked the Temple trustees. Besides Shamji and Suratia others who had put in months of planning for this event included Jyothi Ramaiah and Mahtab Nalladaroo.