The Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation (OZCF) and the Place of Worship Advisory Committee recently announced the commencement of construction on Phase 1 of the Atashkadeh project, in preparation for a future consecrated Atash-e-Adaran fire. Inaugural consecration Jashan and Baj ceremonies held on 24^th September, 2023, were conducted by 16 Mobeds, and attended by over 300 people and also watched online, worldwide.

OZCF owns a 10-acre parcel of land in the Greater Toronto Area, a hub of immigrant growth and the fastest growing Zoroastrian population in North America.

Founded in 2002, OZCF purchased the 10-acre land for $1.5 Million in 2004. The Hall was subsequently built for $450,000. The debt free foundation has already raised an additional CDN $3.4M to start building Phase 1 of the Atashjadeh. Phase 2, which begins next year, seeks funding of CDN $1.7M (US $1.26M).

OZCF further informed, “As more and more Zoroastrians emigrate to Ontario, Canada and USA, Atashkadehs offer continuity in the foundation of religious beliefs as also a unifying platform to celebrate religious occasions. Currently, the 10-acre ground of the Zoroastrian Religious and Cultural Centre is abuzz year-round with cultural, social, and sporting activities for all its members, young and old, Parsis and Iranians. Events are held over 250 days a year in the existing premises, but there is a penchant for a more religious setting.

As the fastest growing Zoroastrian community in the world, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) boasts the highest number of Zoroastrians outside of Mumbai and Pune, with a population of over 6,000 within a 50km radius. The Atashkadeh and Atash-e-Adaran will support a growing Zoroastrian population of 10,000 in Canada and over 25,000 in the USA. The OZCF works closely with sister organization – Zoroastrian Society of Ontario (ZSO).

The new Atashkadeh will contain facilities to enable our younger generation from across North America to become ordained priests, which will serve our community well in the future as population grows. This will encourage the training of even more priests, by overcoming the inconvenience of families traveling to India with associated costs. The site will be consecrated to enable the performance of the higher liturgical ceremonies, which are so relevant in our religion.”

For further details or to make donations, log on to: www.ozcf.com or Email: philsidhwa@hotmail.com or marzi@regalpresscanada.com