By Special Correspondent Hoshang Katrak

Ardibesht Mahino and Sarosh Roj is a much revered day in our Zoroastrian calendar, with a number of our Fire Temples of all denominations, all over India, having been consecrated on this auspicious day. The grandeur of Devlali’s Bai Ratanbai J Chinoy’s Dar-e-Meher drew crowds from all over on 30^th September, 2024, which marked the Agiary’s glorious 108^th salgreh.

21-year-old Er. Rooyinton, along with his father, Panthaky Er. Nozer Mehenty and Er. Adil Navdar from Mumbai, chanted from our holy scriptures to a packed hall at the evening Jashan. A Fala-ni-Maachi was offered twice, in the Havan Geh and Avisathrum Geh.

After the Jashan, Er. Nozer Mehenty expounded on ‘The Methodology and Significance of our Basic Prayers upon Entering our Fire Temples’. He admitted that very little is taught by way of the rudimentary steps to be taken before entering the sanctum sanctorum. Er. Mehenty elucidated that it was mandatory to do the kusti before arriving at the fire temple, that the sadreh be kept outside and not tucked into the trousers and that praying the Atash Nyayesh was very important. He also advised to pray the ‘Chaar Disha no Namaskar’ before undertaking a long journey.

He lamented the reducing patronship of visits to the fire temple by community members, emphasizing on the potency and power in our prayers and exhorting attendees to keep the faith strong. He shared that the precise method of praying is such that your intonations vibrate in your ears, even if one is unaware of the meanings of the words.

A couple of games of Housie was followed by a sit-down dinner catered by Adil Master. Secretary-cum-Trustee – Firdaus Kapadia and committee member – Darayus Mistry ensured all the devotees were well catered to, through the evening.