Roj Dae-pa-Meher Mah Avan, 1384 Yz.
Yesterday, 29th March 2014 was the 13th Salgreh of the founding of the Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff Daremeher at Behram Buag Jogeshwari.
From early morning a steady stream of devotees visited the Daremeher, both colony residents and Parsis from around Mumbai. The Salgreh Jashan was perfromed at 11 am in the presence of the Trustees of the Zoroastrian Radih Society – the owners of the Behram Baug complex.
Later in the evening, the north side grounds of Behram Baug were converted into a stage cum seating arrangement for the over 335 guests who had bought the dinner coupons as well as many more who had come merely to listen to the talk.
At 6:30, the proceedings started with a Humbandagi. Thereafter, Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram, Head Priest and Panthaky of the Daremeher welcomed the guests to the gathering and requested Trustee of the Zoroastrian Radih Society, Mr. Rusi Talati to say a few words. Mr. Talati welcomed the devotees to Behram Baug and the function and remarked that the topic chosen for the day – the Navjote ceremony – was really apt – both for children as well as for their parents. He requested the guests to listen carefully to the talk and imbibe the practical points that were about to be presented.
Thereafter, I presented the esoteric meaning of the Navjote ceremony – tracing the journey of a Zoroastrian soul from death to its ultimate judgement, its descent back towards earth, the first Navjote in the celestial realms and the physical Navjote thereafter. Practical hints on when, where, how, to perform the ceremony, the qualities of the priest conducting the ceremony, the presence of the Fravashi of Asho Zarathushtra at the ceremony were explained.
The entire talk, lasting over one hour and 20 minutes has been taped and the audio and video recordings will be put up soon.
After the talk, noted Parsi singer and Behram Baug resident Mr. Kersi Kadodwalla and his group presented evergreen melodies from Indian cinema, thoroughly enthralling the audience. Even as dinner, catered by Mr. Kurush Dala of Katy’s Kitchen was served, the audience kept on encouraging Mr. Kadodwalla to continue his singing. Finally at 10pm, giving respect to local laws, the music was stopped and all partook of the excellent dinner.
Here are a few photos from the memorable evening.
Welcoming the audience
Mr. Rusi Talati, Trustee of the ZRS
Explaining the Navjote ceremony
Aerial view of the audience
Frontal view of the audience
Mr. Kersi Kadodwalla takes the stage
Kersi sings a duet with Mrs. Nazneen Govadia
Kersi in a duet with Mrs. Pervin Kotwal
Ms. Ava Bodhanwalla came all the way from Surat to sing for us
Kersi with Mrs. Tushna Besania
Dill, potato and egg salad
Veg Bhaji Dana and Veg au gratin
Katy’s famous Pulao & Dal
Yummy Fish Florentine & fiery Chicken Vindaloo
The buffet laid out and waiting…
…And here comes the attack!
I would like to offer my most heartfelt thanks to all those who helped make this function a success, especially Mr. Khushroo Wadia who arranged all the logistics and worked around the clock. Special thanks to our talented singers led by Kersi Kadodwalla. I would be failing in my duty if I did not acknowledge our colony member and noted photographer Mr. Aspi Patel for the snaps and Mr. Pervez Tavaria, who came all the way from Colaba to video-shoot the event.
May the pious Ruvan of Ustad Saheb Behramshah Nowroji Shroff bless us all and enable us to celebrate many more such Salgrehs in the years to come. I request several readers of Frashogard who came from different parts of Mumbai to also leave their feedback below on what they felt about the function.
Ervad Marzban J. Hathiram
MAR
