Cusrow Baug chalo ji
ZARIN AMROLIA | Thursday, February 09, 2006 10:45:56 IST
The final day of celebrations marking the 159th anniversary of Cusrow Baug Agiary to be held today...
The air of festivity is palpable in the huge colony on Colaba Causeway. Last Sunday, Cusrow Baug residents celebrated the 159th anniversary of the Karani Agiary with a prayer ceremony and speeches by prominent members of the Zoroastrian community. The occasion also saw the release of the book, ‘Power of Prayer’ by Burjor Antia.
At present, the agiary is situated at the centre of Cusrow Baug at Colaba. Originally Karani Agiary was located at Nizam Street in Muhammed Ali Road.
“The Agiary was built in 1847 in the Nizam street and in 1875 the agiary’s Atash (holy fire) was shifted to the Sodawaterwala Agiary at Marine Lines as there were no community members residing in that area,” said Ervad Yezdi Aibara who has been the Panthaki (head priest) of the agiary since 1989.
Aibara further informed that the Atash of the Karani Agiary was kept separately from the Atash of the Agiary at Marine lines and the required prayers conducted daily. Later in 1934, the Cusrow Baug was built by the Wadia Brothers - Ness and Khushroo. When requested, the brothers presented a plot of 1400 square yards to the trustees of the Karani Agiary to build a fire temple. “The plot was given by the Wadia brothers for just Re. 1 per annum. The brothers also donated Rs. 20,000 to construct the fire temple,” said Aibara.
The fire temple was constructed in the styles of Iranian, Syrian and Babylon architecture under the supervision of Grayson Batley, an Italian architect. And it was on 23rd February 1935, that the Karani Atash was shifted to the Cusrow Baug Agiary.
As soon one enters the agiary, one is greeted by a hall behind which is placed the Adarian (room where the Holy Fire is kept) with the Atash. “It is built in such a way that the Atash is not visible to an outsider,” said Aibara. At present, the agiary boasts of nine priests and six staff members and trustees who organise monthly religious discourses apart from handing out religious books.
“We renovate the Agiary every three to four years, depending on the wear and tear of the structure. And every year, the anniversary of the agiary is celebrated with an elaborate function,” said Aibara.
This year, it will be a two-day celebration - one held last Sunday and the other being organised today. While the programmes on Sunday evening comprised mainly of events based on the religion, today’s programme, beginning at 6 pm is directed towards the community’s youth.
The evening commences with a speech by Khojeste Mistree, on ‘Relevance of Zoroastrianism for the Modern Youth’ and is followed by dance performances. The next hour will have Dinyar Tirandaz and the Bhumgara family entertaining the guests. The day will end with dinner by Tanaz Godiwala. “This is going to take place at the Pavillion of Cusrow Baug,” said Aibara.