The Seth B. M. Mevawala Agiary in Byculla celebrated its 151st salgirah on April 28, 2025 (roz Srosh, mah Adar) with a maachi in the morning followed by a jashan led by the Agiary panthaky Ervad (Dr) Parvez Bajan in honor of the founder. Bajan’s grandson, Ervad Jehan, led a jashan that evening on behalf of various well-wishers and local residents, notes an email on the event sent to Parsiana.
Former Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Noshir Dadrawala, who was chief guest that evening, spoke on various aspects of Zoroastrian history and on how good Zoroastrians should lead their lives with raasti (truth) and radhi (charity). Charity should not be restricted to giving of money; one should practice charity of thought, words and deeds as well. Dadrawala said that one should observe moderation and balance in life. There is no point in praying if one does not put into practice what one prays. Prayers are essentially positive affirmations which help devotees lead a purposeful, productive and prosperous life. Prosperity is not just about wealth, it’s about overall well-being of individuals and those around them.
Parvez spoke of how the fire temple was shifted from the Bhindi Bazar area where Parsis once lived to its present location after the riots that took place in Bombay in the 19th century. He felicitated the three trustees of the Agiary who were present, Vispy Mistry, Burzin Mehta and Phillie Katkaria. The two other trustees are Maneck Engineer and Feroze Sethna. The priests and helpers were acknowledged as well. He also commended his students of Avesta Pahlavi, and particularly Dr Hutoxi Zaroliwalla, who spoke briefly about the importance of fire and prayers.
Monajats were sung by Viraf Daruvalla, Marazban Wadia and Jamshed Kotwal. The function concluded with the singing of Chhayyé Hamé Zarthoshti, partaking the chashni and receiving refreshment boxes. S. V.