While the hours for India’s Independence were being counted, a handsome 42-year-old mobed with a glowing red complexion was summoned to perform a navjote in a village called Mangrol in Surat district. Priesthood had run in his family for generations and none knew any other trade or calling. Originally from Mandvi, another town near Surat, the mobed had migrated to Navsari and worked as a full-time priest in the fire temple. He had six children from a wife well versed as a gorani (a priest’s trained wife).
The mobed took a local train to Kim railway station, some 24 kms from......