On 1^st October, 2023, Surat’s Sheth Dadabhoy Nusserwanji Modi Atash Behram celebrated its glorious 200 year- anniversary celebrations, with great fervour and joy. The newly painted Atash Behram was adorned with garlands and thronged by about 4,000 devotees, through the day.

A Hama Anjuman Macchi commenced at 7:00 am, by offering seven logs of sandalwood (weighing 21 kgs) to the Padshah Saheb, creating much awe and admiration in the hearts of dedicated bystanders who were present from early morning and stayed till late evening.

At 7:15 am, the Kaavyaani Zando was taken from the Atash Behram, with hundreds of Humdeens paying obeisance to the Zando (flag), which is 11 feet in height and 5 feet wide. It has the symbol of the sun and moon in the corner, an Afarganyu with Atash and a Farohar. (The legend of the Zando has come down thousands of years. King Zohak was an evil and cruel person. He had the two sons of Kaveh, a blacksmith, killed and he consumed their brains, which was his sinister habit. Kaveh formed a group of soldiers to take revenge. He took the help of Faredoon and made a leather flag and uniting under this flag, made of silk cloth, gold, and silver threads, and precious gems, he took revenge on Zohak. The flag went on to become a respected symbol of the kings who followed.)

The flag was taken around the neighbourhood, accompanied by a band and hundreds of Humdeens in attendance, taking an hour and forty minutes to return to the Atash Behram, where it was proudly reinstated on the top of the Atash Behram.

The Jashan commenced at 9:00 am with Vada Dasturji Cyrus Dastur (Surat) and Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastur (Udvada) along with sixty Mobed sahebs. After the Jashan, the Vada Dasturjis jointly released the Souvenir.

The Program commenced at 11:00 am at the Dr. Ratan Marshall Grounds (opposite Surat Panchayat Office), with the singing of the national anthem and Humbandagi by Vada Dasturji Cyrus N. Dastur. Davar Tehmuras Darius Modi, President and Trustee gave a warm welcome speech. The Chief Guest, former Justice of the Supreme Court – Rohinton Fali Nariman, expounded on the importance of fire in the Zoroastrian religion and its significance.

Speakers who shared insightful talks included were Vada Dasturji Cyrus N. Dastur, Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastur, Vada Dasturji Keki Ravji Meherjirana, Er. Dr. Parvez Bajan, and Kersi Deboo. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion included Padmashri Er. Yazdi Karanjia (Trustee – Surat Parsi Panchayat), Dr. Homi Doodhwala (President – SPP), Trustees of Modi Atash Behram – Jamshed Dotivala, Zawareh Wadia and Rayan Modi; and Ex-Boiwala Sahebs – Er. Faredoon Turel and Er. Noshir Turel.

Trustee Zawareh Wadia gave the vote of thanks. The program ended with the rendition of ‘Chhaiye Hame Zarthosti’.

In a remarkable display of talent, Maharukh Chichgar captivated the audience as the Master of Ceremony during the function. Her exceptional work and commanding stage presence left a lasting impression on all attendees. Lunch and dinner was sponsored by Burzin Parekh, in loving memory of his late mother, Farida Parekh.