– A 5-Star Conversation On Celebration –

(A Global Iranshah Initiative Presentation)

.

.

Meher: It is quite remarkable, that for the first time in the history of IranShah’s Salgreh, we decided to have a Global Celebration, and somehow it culminated into a Virtual Celebration! Let’s start with our first shining star – Vada Dasturji. How do you plan to celebrate Iranshah’s Salgreh as the Hight Priest of Iranshah?

Vada Dasturji Khurshed: As stars illuminate the dark sky; I pray the stars and heavenly bodies would extend their light to expel the darkness that has befallen the human race. To Zarathushtra – ‘The Golden star’, we beseech each day, to grant mankind some respite from this disaster. This year, Iranshah’s Salgreh would have been celebrated with the Holiest Fire enthroned in its majestically restored premises, but nature had a different plan and we are at the mercy of the ‘Unknown’! We will commemorate the day with deep reverence and prayer, but from within our homes. We will visualise our glorious Iranshah and pray that Our Holy Fire, in all its glory, is eternally kept ablaze and aloft. 

We, being an intelligent, responsible and sensitive community, comprehend the gravity of this crisis. Though Man proposes and God disposes, I am not one to be despondent. I respect the need of the hour and would urge all Zoroastrians the world over to offer prayers, good thoughts and good deeds so as to thwart the power of all things Evil. We cannot judge how we will be placed even ten days from now, but we will abide by the mandated rules act in accordance. Though we long to visit our places of worship, we have to refrain, to ensure that mankind and in particular our valuable Mobeds, who are tending to our Agiary and Atashbehram Fires, stay safe. On this auspicious day, let us stand together as one, in prayer. Blessings of Iranshah be with one and all!

Meher: Thank You, Dasturji. Proceeding to our second shining star, Noshir, you have been kind to enlighten us with your Scholastic Contribution on this project, namely ‘ASK NOSHIR’. What do you envision and endeavor to contribute via this platform while getting ready to celebrate our IranShah’s Salgreh?

Noshir: On Iranshah’s Salgreh, or any other day, the material gifts we can carry in our hands would be fragrant sandalwood and Kathi to offer the Holy Fire, as also financial contributions gifted (Aashodaad) to our priests and towards the maintenance of this beautiful place of worship. More importantly, one should lift one’s hands in prayer for True Wealth – which would be Health and Happiness, to be cherished with family and friends.

You have asked what I envision and endeavor to contribute via this platform – they say knowledge and wisdom is wealth that no thief can steal. But I also believe that if a person who has knowledge and not the wisdom to share it, is a bigger thief. And, thus, I shall endeavor through this platform, to share knowledge and wisdom, especially with the youth. I will also share my spiritual experience to inspire all those who visit this platform. 

I conclude with the opening verse of the Atash Nyaish, which I will offer to Iranshah this year from home: ‘Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdāo! Nemase-te, Ātarsh Mazdāo Ahurahe hudhāo mazishta yazata,’… (May there be) the propitiation of Ahura Mazdā! Homage (be) unto Thee, O Fire of Hormazd, bestowing goodness, the Greatest Yazata!

Meher: Thank You, Noshir! Moving on to our third shining star – Homi. Noshir mentioned that knowledge and wisdom are treasures that no robber can steal. What other blessed treasures would you bring to this Salgreh and this laudable project?

Homi: A religion is practiced in many ways – us Zoroastrians live the triad of Humata, Hukhata and Hvarshta as part of our practice. For us, the rituals of worship – especially at the abode of the Iranshah – are an important part of our spiritual Hvarshta. Whenever I lay eyes upon the sacred flame, I find serenity; the light rejuvenates me and I reflect on my Hvarshta. To me, it is the most significant of all three. Being the President of FEZANA has allowed me to contribute towards our community – I’m grateful for the opportunity. The Iranshah Initiative is dear to my heart. I have joined forces with these formidable five Stars as FEZANA’s representative to support the Iranshah Initiative and will continue to do so even post my Presidency, later this year. 

Ahura Mazda has granted us all the blessed treasure of the ability to use our Vohu Manah, to go beyond our Humata and Hukhata and give rise to the best Hvarshta. That is a treasure everyone is blessed with. One need not be President of any organization to use this blessed treasure in service of Iranshah. I urge all to do so!

Meher: Thank you, Homi! Now, for Arzan, our fourth shining star… you’ve been dedicated in serving our North American and Global Zarathushti community, as well as our future generation. As the FEZANA Vice President, how do you plan to shine your light in the service of IranShah?

Arzan: The story of Iranshah is the story of Zarathushtis in India and the world over. Iranshah has reigned supreme in the hearts and minds of all who follow the faith. What brings people back repeatedly is the power of the Iranshah fire… the need to pay homage to the exalted ‘Shah’ or King of Iran, from where we all emerged, and the birth of our religion. A visit to Udvada on auspicious life events like births, navjotes and weddings is a given. The dedicated visit monthly on Behram Roj in hundreds, and on the Salgreh, in thousands!

Personally, and in my role as the VP of FEZANA, I continue to create opportunities and mechanisms for generations of youth, especially those born outside of India to visit the Iranshah in person, and virtually. The Iranshah Initiative is the first step in creating a virtual experience and I hope it will lead to the youth wanting to visit this greatest of Atashbehrams in person and receive its divine blessings. 

In today’s fast changing world, the Iranshah Atashbehram and the town of Udvada, stand as eternal markers in the sands of time. It is even more apparent and necessary to safeguard these for future generations. The involvement of the youth and of the diaspora in general, along with the continuous support of the community in India, is key to making this happen. For it is only when we can see where we came from, will we get a sense of how far we have travelled together, as a community and as followers of our ancient prophet – Zarathushtra.

Meher:  Thank you, Arzan! Let’s move on to our fifth shining star, Tinaz, who we know as a young lady filled with passion and compassion for our sacred IranShah. As the global Youth Ambassador of IranShah Initiative, you are presently spearheading the celebratory preparation for IranShah’s Salgreh. Tell us about the IranShah Initiative Website that you and Arzan have put together and your experience in working with our Global Zartoshti Youth Group.

Tinaz:  The Iranshah Initiative website was created and presented to the world at the Iranshah Udvada Utsav in December, 2019. I worked closely with Arzan to conceptualise the content, layout and design. Together, we wanted to create a platform that is easily accessible, user friendly and contains all the relevant information for one to learn, share and become a part of the Iranshah Initiative. 

The role as Global Youth Ambassador of the Iranshah Initiative has provided me with the wonderful opportunity to work with a group of like-minded youth from across the world, with great responses received from youth representatives from Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Canada, Iran, India, Hong Kong and Pakistan, who were all eager to assist in spreading the message to their respective communities and associations, for our first ever global and virtual experience of Iranshah’s Salgreh. It is amazing what the power of technology can do – provide Zoroastrians around the world the opportunity to feel as if they are present at Udwada and are a part of the celebration – if even for a moment – is a brilliant way to bring our community together, at a time when the world faces one of its toughest challenges yet. 

Meher:  Thank you, Tinaz!

Our Five-Super Stars have contributed the best of the best to honor the 5-star mission and vision of IranShah as under – PRESERVE / CREATE / KEEP / MAINTAIN / PROVIDE (https://iranshahinitiative.com/what/)

As we thank you all for your support, we leave you with this thought to ponder on:

Stars don’t create light, Light creates the stars…

We invite you all to shine your light and become a shining star in the galaxy of our most sacred Iranshah

(https://iranshahinitiative.com/)