For those families who could not visit Udvada due to the ongoing pandemic, during the summer vacations, to pay homage to our Pak Iranshah, now have the opportunity to visit after a good seven months, to seek His divine blessings in these trying times! Further, those who intend to spend a couple of days during the Diwali vacation and enjoy the hospitality of our Udvada hotels, and don’t have the opportunity to go to Daman to spend the evenings there, have a surprise in store in Udvada itself!!

The 15-year-old Zoroastrian Information Centre has been brilliantly revamped with new Audio-visual and state-of-the-art, interactive exhibits! Inaugurated by the CM of Gujarat, Shri Rupaniji, in December 2019 during the Iranshah Udvada Utsav, the Zoroastrian Information Centre was much appreciated for being able to convey the rich culture, heritage and contribution of the Parsis in the making of modern India.

Backlight exhibit panels in bilingual texts aid the local sensitivities, whereas the pictorials are breathtaking supported with documentary videos on every subject. The exhibition, as curated by Firoza Punthaky Mistree, comprises five captivating sections, including the History of our Glorious Persian Past, followed by the Unique Traits of our Religion as well as Culture; our Exodus from Iran and our Entry in India; and the Journey of Pak Iranshah from Sanjan to Udvada.

Great efforts have been taken to convey the message and information in addition to scripted panels, with documentaries and innovative representations. One such exhibit that has always intrigued one and all was the ‘Miracles of Prophet Zarathustra’, as explained using the evergreen ‘Amar Chitra Katha’, which all of us can relate so well to.

A ‘Culture Wall’ has also been created with interactive Audio-Visual panels, shedding light on topics including Parsi Embroidery and Gaaras; as also playing Recipes of lip smacking Parsi Cuisines. Other than the life-size model of the kebla and the dokhma, the exhibit space is punctuated with innovative thread sculptures which talk of the 72-threads that make up the kasti as also the representation of the holy fire. Not to forget a section dedicated to our great Parsi Stalwarts, who helped in nation building.

All in all, the renovated Zoroastrian Information Centre is a breath of fresh air and wonderment for all ages, and especially serves as an inspiration to our youth, who would much prefer that instead of being lectured, they be conveyed the same information by innovative graphics and intriguing displays.

The Centre was done up by funds contributed by the Gujarat Tourism and CSR funds from Godrej Agro Products ltd. The daily management is supported by the Foundation for Development of Udvada and its committed caretaker, Aspi Sepoy. Let the limitation of not being able to visit Daman urge us to visit the Centre which shall be open till late evenings during the Diwali week – it will inspire us, as portrayed through our rich heritage! There’s more to look forward to praying this time, when you visit Udvada!