12th Anniversary celebrations and book release

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Roj Rashne Mah Avan, 1382 Yz.

Friday, 29th March 2013 was a red letter day for the Parsis of Behram Baug as we celebrated the 12th Anniversary of the founding of the Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff Daremeher.

The decked up Agiary

The decked up Agiary

The morning commenced with a massive 5kg Machi offered to the Padshah Saheb by the Trustees of the Zoroastrian Radih Society. Thereafter, a well-attended Jashan ceremony was held at 10:30 am.

The evening program commenced at 7pm with a Humbandagi. Thereafter, I delivered the main speech: “Aapro Dharam to baal karta barik: The story of Dastur Ardeshir Kermani, Shah Mahmud and the Parsis of Ghazni.” A detailed report and summary of the speech will be put up on the blog later on. Here are some photos of the function and the attendees.

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After the speech, ZRS Trustee and senior Khshnoom personality Ms. Piloo Lalkaka released my new book: “Who Killed Prophet Zarathushtra: Some Zoroastrian Riddles answered through Ilm-e-Khshnoom.”

The book release

The book release

The book is a collection of essays which were posted on our Frashogard blog. There was a demand from many persons that the essays should be collected and printed in a volume so that they could be widely distributed as well as referred to by those who do not generally access the Internet. The book is divided into three sections:  The first section, called answers to Zoroastrian Riddles, gives, in easy English, the answers (as per the teachings of Khshnoom) to 21 common questions like who killed Zarathushtra, what happens inside a Fire Temple, how to dispose old religious items, how long to do the Muktad etc.

The second section contains 7 miraculous stories that convey the power of prayer, including old classics like the story of Dastur Pesuji, Kavasji Sarkari’s experiences with the sound screen, the possession of Dhunmai by Bhulki Dakan etc. The final section contains tributes to 5 eminent Zoroastrians: the Chiniwalla Brothers, Ervad Eruchshah Karkaria, Dastur Meherjirana and my own grandfather, Nariman Vagchhipawalla.

The book cover

The book cover

The book has been priced at Rs. 150 and will soon be distributed in all leading Agiaries as well as sandalwood shops so that Parsis can easily buy it.

After the book release, the gathering concluded with a Humbandagi and then gave full justice to Dr. Kurush Dalal’s excellent buffet dinner, comprising of Frilly Mutton cutlets with gravy, Masala chicken with chips, Summer salad, Vegetarian Pulao Dal and Kulfi, while the vegetarians enjoyed Lagansara Stew, Paneer-e-Bahar, Summer Salad, Pulao Dal and Kulfi. A total of 310 persons took part in the function. Here are a few photos of the food, courtesy Dr. Kurush Dalal.

The Buffet Layout

The Buffet Layout

 

Mutton frill Cutlets with gravy

Mutton frill Cutlets with gravy – some managed to eat 8 of these, I am told!!!

 

Masala chicken with chips - an old Parsi classic

Masala chicken with chips – an old Parsi classic

 

Veg Pulao and Dhansaak dal:  a great hit with repeat servings!

Veg Pulao and Dhansaak dal: a great hit with repeat servings!

 

For the vegetarians - Paneer-e-Bahaar and Lagansara Stew

For the vegetarians – Paneer-e-Bahaar and Lagansara Stew

I would like to thank all those who attended and made our function a grand success and a special mention to Mr. Khushroo Wadia who managed all the logistics, electrical and other arrangements and dealing with the various vendors while I was busy in the Agiary. Thanks are also due to our colony photographer, Mr. Aspi Patel, who despite a recent eye operation did the photographs for us with his usual professionalism. A special thanks also to Caterer Kurush Dalal who gave us unlimited and tasty food for a most modest price. On the whole, a great evening.

May the Padshah Saheb bless us all and enable us to celebrate many more such Salgrehs.

Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram

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Comments

  1. Porus Homi Havewala  April 2, 2013

    Lovely photos. The Parsi Khoreh is well and alive at Behram Baug!! All the Best.

  2. Aspy  April 2, 2013

    The arrangements were exquisite and very comfortable, the audio without distortion and the dinner fabulous, but then with you in charge nothing less would have been acceptable to your eye for detail.
    Your speech (religious discourse) too was informative and educational.
    In short my trip from south Mumbai was absolutely worthwhile in every aspect.
    Also am proud to be the 1st recipient of your book released on that day.
    Thank you Ervad Marzban for everything.
    Aspy.