That is correct. Even in our homes, the Divo or Divo stand should have a foldable or removable stand or screen such that non-Zs or men and women in an impure state do not gaze on to the Divo. The simplest alternative is to take one of the many greeting cards we receive with pictures of Zarathushtra or the Fire on them (which is a most un-zoroastrian thing to do), and use the upright card as a screen to shield the divo glass from the gaze of persons not supposed to be looking at the Divo. A more elaborate manner is to have a folding door or shutter over the entire Diva stand which can be closed when non-Parsi helpers come to clean the house or when one of the family members is in an impure state. Those who maintain a constant Fire in their houses should also take the above precautions.

Best regards,
Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

Your observation is correct. It is not that Panthakis of these Agiaries are not aware. They are just not pressurised enough by their Behdins to stop this unholy practice. A few concerted individuals can easily put an end to this. there is no shortage of Parsi labour is one makes an effort to find them and pay decent wages.

My answer to your second query is very simple. If every Parsi home followed the practice of keeping the Akhand Divo, then the neighbours could easily take care of an additional Divo when you wanted to leave town for a long duration and they would hand back the same on your return. At some time you could return the same favour and hence everyone would be happy. In fact a couple of my friends in America who maintain a constant Fire in their houses follow this practice whenever one of the families come to India or go out for a trip.

You are right about the third point too. In fact matches are being used in my Daremeher too. I am taking steps to end this practice.

Best regards,
Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

I have seen in very many Agiaries, the diva na glasses being washed and cleaned by non-Zoroastrians. Is it that the mobed sahebs of those establishments are unaware of the correct procedure?

You also mention about maintaing an akhand divo which you compare to a Dadgah at home. Whilst I certainly do agree with you of the practice followed by our ancestors, and I do recall the same which was practiced in my ancestral home, but in todays world, is it possible? What happens when a family has to shut home for a short period of time when they are away?

Lastly, in most Agiaries, the divo is lit by lighting a match stick. Can this practice not be changed to the one you described, i.e., lighting the divo, with a thin sandalwood stick?

With warm regards,

Burjor P. Randeria