The Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) marked a landmark moment as it celebrated its centenary over the last weekend, with a series of thoughtfully curated events at its historic premises on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. Founded in 1925, the Anjuman has served as the cultural, social and spiritual anchor for the capital’s Parsi community.

The celebrations opened on Saturday with the iconic DPA building illuminated in festive splendour. Addressing the gathering, DPA President, Adil S. Nargolwala traced the community’s presence in Delhi from the Mughal era, noting that while the Parsi population in the city numbers around 500 today, its contributions span law, healthcare, architecture, business and culture. The Anjuman has proudly grown from a modest cultural space into a progressive, well-equipped centre, to include a Dharamshala, a banquet hall, and the newly renovated Katgara Hall (donated by the Katgara family), which was inaugurated last Sunday. The complex also houses the Dar-e-Mehr (estb. 1961) – the only Zoroastrian fire temple in North India.

Saturday’s program included the felicitation of Justice Jamshed Burjor Pardiwala, followed by musical performances and an elaborate traditional Parsi dinner prepared by Surat’s caterers. A major highlight of the centenary celebrations was a photo exhibition documenting the history of Parsis in Delhi and their contributions to the nation. It explored the community’s early engagement with Emperor Akbar and the role of Zoroastrian thought at the Mughal court.

Sunday’s events featured a Dar-e-Mehr Jashan led by Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor, a talk by Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, and the formal inauguration of the Katgara Hall. Cultural performances including garba dances and a musical titled, ‘Aapri Dilli ki Love Story’, added vibrancy to the evening. A special centenary edition of the Anjuman’s in-house journal, ‘Dipanjali’ was also unveiled.

As the Delhi Parsi Anjuman steps into its second century continuing to bind the community with pride and purpose, these celebrations reaffirmed its place as the proud heart of Delhi’s Parsi community, rooted in heritage, unity and a deep sense of belonging.