Bombay doongerwadi’s Bisni dakhma is to be again put into operation following a hama anjuman jashan scheduled for January 17, 2021. A portion of the 177-year-old structure was reportedly on the verge of collapse.
"Aapré samajta hata ké donation dharradharr aavsé (we thought donations would come fast and furious)” but that was not the case, Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Kersi Randeria told Parsiana on January 12. "Among the first persons to come forward was (The Parsee Voice editor) Rita Doctor,” he added. "We continued to work with limited resources…funds trickled in,” said Randeria. The renovation involved cleaning and rebuilding parts of the wall, removing the overgrown vegetation, cleaning drains and replastering. The work commenced before the lockdown but was delayed due to shortage of the contractor’s personnel.
Clockwise from above: donor Soonu Buhariwalla; (l-r): Aspandiar, Naheed and Auriya Attaie Photos Mazda Studios;
(l-r) Anahita Desai, Buhariwalla, Shirin Katgara and Sherry Patel at F. S. Parukh Dharamshala;
benches and cupboard at Doongerwadi in memory of Meher Driver; navjote boys with WAPIZ well-wishers
Dasturs (Dr) Firoze Kotwal and Khurshed Dastoor advised on the rituals to be followed. The dakhma was cleaned with water "thrice at an interval of at least two days…thereafter with taro at an interval of at least two days,” stated Ervad Hormuz Dadachanji who, along with Ervads Rohinton Pavri, Daraius Bajan and Khurshed Turel was to perform the jashan. Vendidad prayers and a baaj was to be performed in memory of benefactor Cawasji Bisni.
Following the renovation of the Bhabha bungli at Doongerwadi by donor couple Katy and Noshir Gotla in October 2020 (see "Benefactor for bunglis,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, November 7- November 21, 2020), well-wisher Soonu Buhariwalla donated Rs 18 lakhs for the renovation of the lower bunglis at Doongerwadi in memory of her late husband Hoshang. "The work is almost complete and the bunglis will be open for use soon,” stated social worker Anahita Desai.
Buhariwalla had earlier donated 32 bedside cabinets for use by the residents of the BPP run F. S. Parukh Dharamshala, Desai noted. The benefactor additionally sponsored the navjote of Aspandiar and Auriya Attaie at Cama Baug on January 10, 2021. Organized by the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ), the event was attended by Buhariwalla, her relatives, WAPIZ trustees, banker Homai Daruwalla, social worker and former BPP trustee Arnavaz Mistry and Randeria.
Three outdoor benches were installed at Doongerwadi by the Driver and Mirza families in memory of their sister/sister-in-law Meher Driver who passed away on October 18, 2020. A cupboard for use by mourners at Bhabha bungli was also gifted by them.