During a recent long weekend, a small group of us had the good fortune to visit the Plantin Daremeher at Ahmednagar, en route to Bombay.
Built and funded by Jamshedji Pestonji Plantin and consecrated on May 4, 1847, the 175-year-old agiary is an oasis of calm in the midst of a busy bazaar area.
The agiary and adjacent hall are neat and well maintained under the stewardship of the very affable and energetic Ervad Freddy Randeria who has been serving as the panthaky for over two decades.
The small garden has a few trees, including a 100-year-old lemon tree that yields large fruit with medicinal properties. There are also mobed quarters, a community hall and a well. The agiary is protected by two deceptively ferocious but friendly dogs who insist on shaking hands with visitors!
Clockwise from top l: visitors to the Plantin Daremeher in Ahmednagar,
with the priest; views of the fire temple; friendly watchdogs
Hints of past glory could be seen in the stained glass ornamentation, a fabulous toran of fine glass beads, framed portraits and some gorgeous carpets. On entering the agiary we were greeted with the resonating sound of the bell and mellow lilting of a Tandarosti prayer being recited by the panthaky. The fragrance of sandalwood filled the air. A muktad table with about a dozen shiny vases filled with red roses added to the ambience.
According to the panthaky, there are a mere 22 Parsis in Ahmednagar who get together on special occasions. The Meher Pilgrim Center, devoted to Meher Baba, is a short 20-minute ride away and sees a sizable regular Parsi footfall but only a few take time off to visit the agiary.
I stepped out of the agiary gate into torrential rain, with a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment while the two dogs offered friendly paws, tugged at my dress and implored me to stay longer…I wish I could have! THRITY D. DADABHOY
thritydee@gmail.com