In "Wholesome, peaceful and pure,” (Parsiana, October 7, 2016) Berjis Desai’s recollections of Parsi life in Navsari are accurate. I would like to add some of my own.
At twilight, the lady of the house, wearing a white mathabanoo (head scarf), would light a small afarganyu with two or three small pieces of burning charcoal ignited red over a kerosene stove, add some shavings of sandalwood called ver and then pray a little before sprinkling some loban (frankincense) on the fire to create thick smoke. The afarganyu would then be carried from room to room with more loban added as required......