In Christian tradition, Saint Dominic Savio is considered as the patron saint of the falsely accused while St. Jude Thaddeus is commonly considered the patron saint of those faced with difficult court cases. In the Zoroastrian tradition there are no formally canonized saints. However, certain pious individuals, like Dasturji Jamshed Kukadaru and Behdin Homa, continue being revered as saintly figures. In times of difficulty, the Asho Ruvan (Righteous Spirit) of both these saintly persons are invoked for succour. In particular, devout community members continue invoking blessings of Homaji for speedy and amicable redress from burdens of long litigations or false charges. In other words, the community considers the pious and righteous Homaji as the patron saint of those falsely accused or tangled in long or complicated court cases. The Asho Ruvan of Dasturji Kukadaru is invoked during challenging times or during illness.

Birthday Of An Asho Arthravan (Priest)

26^th May, 2025, marked the 194^th birth anniversary of the saintly Zoroastrian priest, healer, astrologer and alchemist – Dasturji Jamshed Sohrab Kukadaru. Born in Surat on 26^th May, 1831 (Mah Ava, Roj Zamyad) and passed away on 5^th September, 1900 (Mah Fravardin, Roj Behram) of the Shahanshahi Yazdezardi calendar, Dasturji is fondly remembered even after nearly two centuries, and his portrait adorns several homes and places of worship.

Kukadaru saheb, with the power of his ashoi (holiness/righteousness) and manthravani (prayers), healed numerous ailing persons. For instance, when Jehangir Karkaria, a teacher at Bharda School, was just three, he developed severe jaundice and the doctors had given up hope. His grandmother took him to Dasturji at the Agiary. He made her sit at a certain spot with the ailing child in her lap. Dasturji sat at some distance and began praying after placing a brass bowl filled with clean well-water between them. As Dasturji prayed, the water in the bowl began to turn yellow and the child began to recover. The child grew up to be a well-regarded teacher and mathematician and died at a ripe old age.

The miracle for which Kukadaru saheb is most renowned is connected with the establishment of the Anjuman Atash Behram. Reportedly, Kukadaru saheb transformed an ordinary mud brick into a large bar of gold by chanting Avesta prayers through the night. This was on request of Zoroastrian devotees to cover a shortfall in funds required for constructing the Anjuman Atash Behram building at Dhobi Talao, Mumbai. Kukadaru saheb requested High Priest – Dasturji Kaikhushru Jamaspji, to go to the next room and sell the item he would find there. The item was a gold brick, which, in those days, fetched a handsome sum of Rs. 10,000/-

Baj Of An Asho Behdin

Roj Govad of Mah Dae, which falls on 2^nd June this year, will be observed as Homaji ni Baj. The story of Homaji is about the power of truth and the sacrifice made by a pious and innocent man who was falsely accused. It is a tragic tale revolving around mindless acrimony that prevailed among Parsis of Gujarat, in the wake of the ‘Calendar Controversy’, also known as the ‘Kabiseh Controversy’. This unfortunate controversy stands testimony to the futility of infighting within the community. Around that period, the rift between the Shehenshahi and Kadmi Parsis was not only wide, but quite violent…

The Calendar Controversy: In the 18th century, Indian Parsis reconnected with their Zoroastrian counterparts in Iran and discovered notable differences in customs, including a one-month variation in their calendars. Traditionally, Zoroastrians added a full month every 120 years instead of a leap day every four years. Parsis in India had likely inserted this extra month in the 12th century, while Iranian Zoroastrians had not—possibly due to political upheavals in Iran. This led to a one-month discrepancy. In 1745, a group of Parsis in Gujarat aligned their calendar with the Iranian version and became known as Kadimis, followers of the ancient calendar. Those who retained the older Indian calendar were called Shehenshahis, named after King Yazdagird III of the Sassanian dynasty.

The Kadmi-Shehenshai Rift

Dispute over which calendar was accurate (actually, both were running inaccurately without intercalation) took an ugly turn and led to a lot of infighting. Both groups not only argued verbally but often took to street fighting and rioting within Parsi Mohallas. For several decades, marriage between members of the two sects was considered taboo and each sect considered the other as enemy of the religion. Homaji was a victim of this unfortunate eighteenth century calendar intercalation (Kabiseh) controversy which divided the community bitterly and violently.

The calendar controversy flared up rather seriously in Bharuch in the year 1782. A lady from the Kadmi group, who was pregnant, falsely accused a pious and innocent Shehenshahi gentleman – Homa (son of Jamshed Zaahiaa, a weaver and well-known poet of Bharuch) of kicking her, which allegedly led to a miscarriage. Homaji was first brought to trial before the Nawab of Bharuch and then to Bombay before the British Court. He pleaded innocence. However, incensed by the Kabiseh controversy, a member of the Wadia family belonging to the Kadmi sect gave false testimony as a witness against Homaji. Based on the witness’ false testimony, Homaji was sentenced to death.

The pious and innocent Homaji was hanged to death at the corner of Bazaar-gate in the Fort locality of Bombay, on Roj Govad of Mah Dae 1152 YZ (corresponding to 1783 AD).

A Dying Man’s Declaration

Before he was hanged, Homaji declared that he was innocent of the charge brought against him and that his sentence was not just. Homaji is believed to have declared, that the person who had levelled false charges against him would be found dead on the fourth day (Chahrum) after his death. He also declared before he was hanged that all those who will remember him for his innocence and his sacrifice will forever receive his blessings.

Reportedly, the lady who had falsely accused Homaji was found dead in her home on the fourth day after Homaji’s death. According to another version, it was the witness who bore false testimony who died on the fourth day after Homaji was hanged. To this day, devout Parsis observe Govad Roj of Dae Mah as a solemn occasion to remember Homaji as the Patron Saint of all those who are falsely accused or generally harassed. In the Aafringaan prayers, his name is invoked with reverence along with names of other pious persons as Behdin Homa Behdin Jamshed.

Observing Homaji-ni-Baj

The month of Dae is dedicated to the Supreme Divinity, Ahura Mazda. Through this holy month, devout Parsis perform thanksgiving Jasan, offering gratitude to Ahura Mazda for His bounties. It is considered particularly meritorious to perform Jasan on Roj Hormuzd, Daepadar, Daepmeher and Daepdin. Roj Govad is observed as Homaji ni Baj and performing Jashan ceremony on this day is also considered meritorious.

After offering prayers or performing Jashan in honour of Homaji one should pray:

Ashaaonaam vanghuhish suraao spentaao fravashayo yazamaide.

Anusheh rawaan rawaani, Behdin Homa Behdin Jamshed aedar yaad baad.

Anusheh rawaan rawaani, Hamaa Asho Farohar aedar yaad baad.

(Translated: We revere the immortal spirit of all the righteous ones; We revere the immortal soul of Behdin Homa, the son of Behdin Jamshed; We worship the good, heroic and beneficent Fravashis of the righteous people.)