The Kavyani flag was paraded through the Parsi mohallas around Surat’s Dada- bhai Modi Atash Behram to commemorate the fire temple’s 195th anniversary on October 2, 2018. The silk flag is 11 ft long and five feet broad and carries symbols of the sun and the moon, an afarganiyu and a farohar embroidered in gold and silver thread. A maachi was offered after sunrise. The ceremony was witnessed by over 100 community members, notes Surat based nature photographer and reiki healer Jasmine Baria. Those accompanying the flag garlanded it, performed aachhu michhu, donated cash or grains and distributed sweets.
"As the procession returned to the Atash Behram, community members sang Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti,” noted Baria. A khushali nu jashan was performed later during the day.
Parading and hoisting the Kavyani flag at Surat’s Dadabhai Modi Atash Behram
Photos: Jasmine Baria
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