This week marks a historic milestone for Mumbai’s Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian community as the revered Bhikha Behram Well completes 300 years. The historic tricentenary was celebrated with a gala thanksgiving celebration on 21st March, which also marked the most auspicious Jamshedi Navroz. To commemorate this momentous occasion, a series of tributes, including a special commemorative coin, a book, prayers, and community celebrations were planned. The festivities commenced with a Jashan at 10:00 am, open for all community members and later in the evening, a grand event at Allbless Baug celebrating the well’s legacy, recognizing trustees, caretakers, and benefactors. A highlight of the occasion was the launch of Waternamah: 300 Years of Mumbai’s Bhikha Behram Well, a commemorative volume edited by Bachi Karkaria, ensuring that the story of this sacred landmark continues to inspire generations.
The Bhikha Behram Well has been a cornerstone of Mumbai’s Parsi-Irani Zoroastrian community for three centuries now, witnessing the city’s evolution while serving as a sacred space. The historic well was constructed in 1725 CE by philanthropist and businessman Bhikaji Behram Pandey, who heeded a divine dream, and miraculously, on its construction, the well has since produced fresh water, despite being close to the sea. The well has served the purpose of providing drinking water to travellers and street animals. During the 1896 bubonic plague, it was one of the few uncontaminated water sources, quenching the city’s thirst. Even in the 1970s, it supplemented the limited municipal water supply in the old Fort area.
There has been an increasing appeal from Mumbai’s community members to the Maharashtra Government to formally name the junction near Churchgate station as ‘Bhikha Behram Chowk’, in commemoration of the glorious 300-year anniversary of our sacred Bhikha Behram Well. The proposed renaming is seen as a tribute to Bhikaji Behram Pandey’s enduring legacy, ensuring that future generations recognize his contributions to the city’s heritage.
Rahul Narwekar, Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, has written to the Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai, to name of the place as ‘Bhikha Behram Chowk’, acknowledging the historical landmark: “Bhikha Behram Well is a well-known historical well in Cross Maidan area in A Ward of my constituency, Colaba. This well is a sacred place for Parsi-Zoroastrians… and is completing 300 years and on this occasion the members of the Parsi community have requested me through the attached statement to name the said place as Bhikha Behram Chowk.”
While the holy structure of the well dates back to the 18th century, its ornate canopy, featuring intricate stained glass, was added in the early 1900s. For years now, every month, on Ava Mahino – Ava Roj, a community Jashan and Humbandagi prayers are held, bringing together community members gather to offer prayers to Avan Ardvisura Anahita – the divine guardian angel of water.
Despite its sanctity, the well has faced challenges, from encroachments to vandalism. A 16-year legal battle was won against a structure built beside it, and restoration efforts were spearheaded by corporate benefactors like the Godrej and Shapoorji Pallonji groups. More recently, concerns about Metro Line 3’s impact on the water table were dismissed by geological studies.
As Mumbai commemorates 300 years of the Bhikha Behram Well, the community’s unwavering devotion stands as a testament to its enduring legacy. Beyond preserving this sacred landmark, we now seek to etch its name into the very fabric of the city by renaming the junction in its divine honour. As we await a decisive nod for the same, we seek not just to preserve the past but to weave its legacy into the city’s future. This tribute would ensure that the well’s story – of devotion, generosity, and unwavering faith – continues to inspire generations to come, just as its waters have for three centuries.
Please Note: As our edition had already gone to print before this commemorative event, a comprehensive report on the same will be featured in our next issue.
