The pleasant morning of 21st February, 2017, had the Thane Zarthostis rejoicing in pride to celebrate the 237th Salgreh of the Seth Cowasji Patell Agiary, organized by the Trustees of the Thana Agiary Fund. The Agiary building came alive with rich floral torans and bouquets marking the main entrance and adorning the frames in the Jasan hall, with day-long offerings of sukhad, kathi and divas. The evening celebration began with a Machi followed by a khushali-nu-Jasan performed by the 5 mobed sahebs of the Patell Agiary, concluding with a humbandagi and volunteers distributing the chasni fruits and malido.

Hon’d speaker, Er Behram Sidhwa recited the humbandagi, starting the function and Homi Talati welcomed the crowd. The Dasturjis of Thana Patell Agiary were felicitated for their service by Pervez Bhesania. Thereafter, Havovi Bilimoria introduced guest speaker Er Pervez D Mithaiwala, who was felicitated by Kurush Shroff. Er Pervez spoke on ‘Tarikato, Rivazo, Bandagiyo, and Kriyakaramo’, referring to his guru, Behsti Minocher Noshirwan Pundol, who had been his religious guide. He provided insights into numerous aspects covered by the law of Tarikat, on how the Kem na Mazda prayer is most important during the kusti prayers, and why the Kusti na Lar should not be allowed to touch the ground while praying as the prayers get nullified; and that one must ensure to stand in one place and completing the entire kusti prayers; one must also refrain from offering sukhad at the Agiary with wet hands as this disturbs the Padshah Saheb when a crackle happens on the Kebla Afarganyu. Other topics he spoke on include how one must never pray with bare feet at home and never remove footwear in front of the Atash Padshah near the kebla; and the usage of only the index finger of your right hand to apply the Rakhiya on your forehead only, from the chamach at the Agiary.

Havovi Billimoria gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the Thana Agiary Fund and the huge Zarthosti crowd from Thane and Mumbai, comprising nearly 550 people, enjoyed the sumptuous free gambhar catered by Gaurav caterers.