The Maneckji Nowroji Sett Agiary, Mumbai’s second-oldest fire temple, will reopen its doors to devotees, on 20^th April, 2025, (Adar Roj, Adar Mahino; 1394 YZ), marking 293 years since its founding. The sacred Padshah Saheb will be re-enthroned in the main Kebla. A Hama Anjuman-ni-Machi will be offered in the Havan Geh at 7:30 am, followed by a Jashan at 10:30 am. All humdeens are warmly invited to witness this historic moment at the resplendent and newly restored Maneckji Nowroji Sett Agiary.

The Agiary was established by Seth Maneckji Nowroji Sett in memory of his father, Nowroji Rustom Maneck, a prominent Athornan and the head of the Bhagariya sect. The original structure stood at Parsi Bazaar Gate Street in the Fort area and was built using funds from a dedicated waqf. Three wadis were allocated to support the Agiary’s expenses, such as oil, sandalwood, kathi, and ritual prayers.

By 1891, the building had fallen into disrepair. The eighth Mutavali, Seth Jalbhoy Ardeshir Sett, led a full-scale renovation in ‘Persepolis Style’, drawing from Greek, Roman and Persian architecture. The majestic facade, with its fluted columns, winged bulls, and pomegranate carvings, reflected the Agiary’s grandeur. A silver Atash Afargan, costing Rs. 6,000/- was installed, and commemorative plaques were added in four languages. The new structure was inaugurated by Panthaki Maneckji Dorabji Adranwala.

The Sett family crest, inscribed with the Latin phrase: ‘Hoc Majorum Opus’ (meaning: ‘this is the work of my forefathers’), adorns the Agiary’s façade, symbolizing the noble legacy of the Maneckji Nowroji Sett waqf, whose custodians upheld the values of dignity and service to the community across generations.

In 1931, further renovation and expansion were undertaken by Seth Kavasji Jalbhoy Sett, who spent Rs. 40,000/- from personal funds and trust reserves. He purchased adjoining properties to enlarge the premises, enabling greater participation in religious ceremonies like the Muktad. Portraits of revered ancestors, including Seth Nowroji and Seth Rustom Maneck, were displayed in the prayer hall, and the entire renovation was supervised personally by Kavasji.

The surrounding area, once called Maneckji Sett Wadi, served the community during both joyous occasions and times of crisis, like the 1790 Sadtala famine, when it provided shelter to Zoroastrians migrating to Bombay. When the Municipal Trust acquired the land, the Rs. 11 lakh compensation was used to establish the Maneckji Nowroji Sett Polytechnic Institute.

Between the 1950s and 1980s, rising inflation and the declining Parsi population in the area led to the sale of one building to cover increasing maintenance costs. Though essential repairs were undertaken over the years, the structure gradually deteriorated with age. However, a full-scale structural restoration was undertaken in 2023, aimed at stabilizing the 120-year-old edifice. A grandfather’s clock, donated to the Agiary in 1954 AD, in memory of Seth Maneckji Nowroji Sett, still marks time in the resplendent hall.  This effort concluded in April 2025, just in time for the Agiary’s salgreh.