Though the number of devotees continues to decline and priests and their assistants are scarce, the physical structures of several of the community’s fire temples are still being maintained thanks to generous donors and dedicated trustees. Amongst these are the Seth Maneckji Navroji Sett Agiary in Fort where Parsis once resided and worked in large numbers, the Seth Rustomji Nusserwanji Rustom Faramna Agiary in the heart of the Mancherji Joshi Dadar Parsi Colony and the Seth Edulji Rustomji Soonawalla Agiary in Mahim frequented by Parsis from Contractor Baug where it is located and neighboring Zoroastrian pockets.
Clockwise from top: Seth Maneckji Navroji Sett Agiary Photo: Behram Colah;
Seth Rustomji Nusserwanji Rustom Faramna Agiary
Photo: Jasmine D. Driver; Seth Edulji Rustomji Soonawalla Agiary
The Sett Agiary atash padshah was re-enthroned on April 20, 2025, its salgirah, after two years when the fire temple was being repaired and renovated. Inaugurated in 1733, the Agiary is the second oldest in Bombay. It was established by a wealthy businessman, Seth Maneckji Navroji to fulfill the wishes of his father Rustom Maneck as per the latter’s will.
The locality chosen, among the oldest residential areas in the city, was known as Parsi Bazaar Gate. Trustee Rustom Vakil told The Free Press Journal (FPJ) on April 23 that the nearby Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Road was the dividing line between the native settlement and the European sector. "On the European side, there was the St Thomas Cathedral, the St Peter’s Armenian Church and other buildings. On the other side were three streets, one each for Hindus, Parsis and Muslims.” But later, when accommodation became available in baugs, Parsis moved to other parts of the city.
In 1891 the Agiary’s dilapidated structure was rebuilt "in a style that blended Greek, Roman and Persian architectural features.” In 1931, it was expanded but in 1950, when the community began to dwindle, one of the buildings in the complex was sold to raise funds with which to maintain the fire temple. Though regular maintenance has been done over the years, the structure deteriorated, necessitating major repairs in 2023, which have now been completed, noted the FPJ.
The Soonawalla Agiary has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks to a generous individual who wishes to remain anonymous. The Clean and Green Charitable Trust (CGCT), with which the donor is connected, undertook the renovation of the hall, kusti area and adjoining spaces, notes CGCT trustee Neville Velati. The trustees of Soonawalla Agiary are now seeking donors to support the terrace waterproofing work.
The entire renovation of the Rustom Faramna Agiary has been designed and executed by Agiary trustee Jimmy Mistry, businessman and former Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee. Some years earlier too he had undertaken major repairs and renovation of this fire temple.