– Little Known Gem Of Our Community’s History –
Many community members may not know that the Parsee Zoroastrian Aramgah, at Badami Bagh, in Srinagar, is a heritage site that is part of Kashmir’s history. As per records available, in 1893, Maharajah Pratap Singh, the Maharaja of Kashmir, gifted by way of grant, a piece of land to the Parsee Zoroastrian Community, in recognition of their services to the state, to be used expressly for the purpose of establishing an Aramgah.
After the State military authorities acquired a greater portion of the land to establish the Badami Bagh Cantonment Bazar, the Aramgah today measures approximately 1.530 acres, comprising a Bungli with two rooms and a verandah; a cemetery; a hothouse-cum-garden shed and living premises for a gardener/ watchman. The surrounding area is an orchard of almond and walnut trees. The Bungli is used to perform prayers and obsequies of the deceased who are then buried in the cemetery.
With the absence of any resident Parsee Zoroastrian family in Srinagar since years, with the last funeral and interment in 1986, the unused Aramgah remains a historic monument in the valley’s history.
Rajkot-based Khushman Tamboli, who recently visited Srinagar, came upon this little known, gem of our community history, and met with the armed forces/authorities who have requested that the gardener/watchman who looks after the property, be paid a stipend for their efforts.
WZO Trust Funds have willingly agreed to pay an annual stipend to the gardener / watchman who looks after the community estate. Community members interested in visiting the Aramgah during their visit to Srinagar and wishing to pay their respects can reach Badami cantonment via Batwara chowk through Rajendra Dwar, where they should inquire with In-charge of Gate and obtain visiting permission from Administrator Commandant or the relevant authority present at the time. The office No. of Badami Cantonment is 0194-2466575.
-Team WZO Trust Funds
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