Within a radius of 150 sq. kms of Belgaum (Karnataka), there are six Parsi Aaramgahs and two fully functional Dar-e-Mehrs with residential quarters for priests and sprawling open spaces and gardens. In the early 20th century, the townships of Hubli, Belgaum, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulbarga and Bijapur had a good Parsi population, with an Aaramgah in each city, with a land mass ranging anywhere between 1 to 3 acres of prime property!
Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians undoubtedly made a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of this cotton-rich, agricultural belt of erstwhile Mysore State, mostly railway employees or engineers employed at various cotton and ginning mills. Today, while Gadag Aaramgah is partly lost to infringement, the Aaramgah at Dharwad, originally acquired in 1910, was taken over by the Federation of Parsi-Zoroastrian Anjumans, with a view to protect the Parsi graves and tombstones from vandalism and increasing threat of encroachment. Belgaum, however, has almost 70 thriving community members, while Hubli has less than ten, mostly old and infirm.
The history of Belgaum’s two-acre Aaramgah property is a bit uncertain as the exact period of its acquirement is unknown. Though the Bangli was built in 1874 in memory of Seth Edulji Cursetjee Boyce and Seth Cursetjee Meherwanji Boyce, believed to be the first bodies interred on a small plot of vacant land, Seth Nanabhai Framji Boyce later acquired the surrounding land and established a proper Parsi Aaramgah in 1915, in memory of his mother, Bai Soonabai Framji Boyce (nee Vania). Thereafter, in September 1946, a wall surrounding the Aaramgah along with an iron gate was built by Seth Darabshah Rustomji Ruttonji Golkhari, in memory of his wife, Bai Bachamai and parents, Seth Rustomji and Bai Manekbai.
The Dar-e-Mehr at Belgaum was financed by Seth Pestonji Cursetji in memory of his brothers, Seth Edulji and Seth Nanabhoy Cursetji Boyce, and consecrated on 9th December, 1891 by Deccan’s Vada Dasturji, Dr. Shams-ul-ulema Hoshangji Jamaspji Jamaspasana. In 1916, the Dar-e-Mehr was renovated with two new halls – Rattan Hall and Khorshed Hall – added to the main structure. The compound houses a Parsi Dharamshala, the Panthaky’s accommodation plus two outhouses.
Over the years several qualified and proficient Panthakys served the Belgaum Dar-e-Mehr, including Er. Ardeshir Mirza who was replaced by Er. Shiavax M. Bhadha in 1933, serving till 1949. Thereafter, Er. Kekobad J. Gowadia, erstwhile Panthaky of Hubli, also served at the Belgaum Dar-e-Mehr from 1970 to 1978. Presently, the Dar-e-Mehr is reverentially served by Er. Jehangir H. Dalal.
Seth Nahni Tehmurasp Kapadia, maternal grandson of Seth Rustomji Nanabhai Boyce, was a prominent and greatly admired resident of Belgaum, who owned four theatres and served as Rotary Governor. His mild-mannered wife, Bai Maki (nee Munshi) is currently the President of the Belgaum Parsi Anjuman.
Hubli
In 1914, two brothers Seth Dhunjibhai & Seth Jamshedji Patel, gifted a plot of land measuring 3,010 sq mts in memory of their deceased father, Seth Burjorji Manekji Patel. Later, Bai Dossibai Nadirshaw Belgaumwala built ‘Seth Hormusji Navroji Belgaumwala Dar-e-Mehr’ on the said land in memory of her late husband, Seth Nadirshaw and her father-in-law, Seth Hormusji Navroji Belgaumwalla, which was inaugurated on 21st January, 1935 by Dastur Sardar Khan Bahadur Noshirwan Kekobad Adarbad. This simple but attractive Dar-e-Mehr building, displaying stone masonry pillars and arches, still looks elegant and impressively imposing.
In 1923, Bai Dossibai also donated Rs. 10,000 and four acres of land, to construct the Hubli Co-operative Hospital Society, a 500-bed hospital, inaugurated by His Excellency Lt. Col. Leslie Orme Wilson, Governor of Bombay, which continues to be of service.
Hubli has an Aaramgah, measuring almost 3 acres, perhaps one of the oldest in South India. While the date of its purchase remains unknown, Sir Dinshaw Manockjee Petit, 1st Baronet, built a Bungli (prayer hall) in 1895, in memory of his son, Seth Framjee Dinshaw Petit. who died young.
Over the past several decades, since the inception of the Dar-e-Mehr, learned Panthakys like Er. Sheriyarji Shapurji Govadia, Er. Kekobad Jeevanji Gowadia and Er. Hoshang Dalal have diligently served the Holy Fire. Sadly today, due to shortage of qualified Mobeds, the daily Boi has stopped tolling at Hubli Dar-e-Mehr, while the Holy Fire is tended by a Parsi chasniwalla (helper).
Hubli, once a thriving city of over 300 Parsi-Zoroastrians, is now left with less than 10, mostly aged and infirm while Bai Zarine Belgaumwalla continues to diligently manage the Anjuman affairs in Hubli.
- ડીએઆઈની નોલેજિયેટ રૂબી એનિવર્સરી માટે ખાસ પોસ્ટલ કવર બહાર પાડવામાં આવ્યું - 14 December2024
- જીજીના પિતા-પુત્રની જોડીએ રશિયામાં ભારતને ગૌરવ અપાવ્યું - 14 December2024
- ઝેડવાયએ દ્વારા બાવાઝ ડે આઉટનું આયોજન - 14 December2024
