Dar-e-Meher, place where Parsis worship

The eternal flame keeps burning in the heart of Dar-e-Meher or the fire temple which is the sacred place of worship of the Parsi community here. Dar-e-Meher is situated amidst the serene atmosphere at MG Marg near High Court.

The eternal flame keeps burning in the heart of Dar-e-Meher or the fire temple which is the sacred place of worship of the Parsi community here. Dar-e-Meher is situated amidst the serene atmosphere at MG Marg near High Court.

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The building is surrounded with lush green garden. On the stone plaque of the temple is inscribed -- 'The foundation stone of this Dar-e-Meher was laid by the hon'ble Burjorjee J Dalal, IGS, Judge High Court, Allahabad on 25th March, 1928'.

Thus it is clear that the temple is 78 years old. There is also a winged human figure at the roof of the temple which is the symbol of the Zoroastrian religion and known as Asho Farohar.

The members of the Parsi community which are approximately 27 in the city visit the temple to celebrate the occasions of festivity like mariages or any other moment of merriment.

There are two rooms in Dar-e-Meher, one is the prayer room and the other is the room where the fire keeps burning continuously in huge silver urn. The Parsi community which believes in simple living and high thinking stays away from any kind of idol worship and worships only fire. They believe in one god, the holy and almighty Ahura Mazda.

"Fire purifies the body and soul, it helps in concentration and the flames inspire the mankind to keep aspiring towards contributing their worth to the society," said Meher D Dhondy. She is an erudite elderly lady who has taught English for almost 45 years in Girls High School.

"This fire is collected from various sacred places and then placed in the silver urn. It is kept lighted continuously by the priest. However, here in Dar-e-Meher we have no priest for the past few years and one of us see to it that the flames keep kindling," she added. Highly regarded priests are known as Dastur and the others are called Mobed.

Only the priest is allowed to enter the room where the fire burns and the rest offer prayers in the other room. The main offering to the fire is sandalwood stick which is first collected by the priest from the worshippers and then offered to the fire. Pomegranate is the main prasad which is consumed by the devotees and Jashan is the thanksgiving prayer.

"Taro (the urine of calf) finds special significance in our Zoroastrian religion.The place where the temple has to be constructed is purified by the urine of calf by washing it. Taro, as it is commonly known, is also given to the bride and bridegroom when they go for worship and it is also given to people on Navjot or during 'janeu'," said Dhondy.

There are three types of fire temples found which are Aatash Daadgah, Dar-e-Meher and Agiari. "Aatash Daadgah is the most significant one which is situated in Mumbai and Surat. Agiari or Aatash Behraam is found in most of the cities," she said.

Udwada near Mumbai is the biggest place of worship for Parsis. It is said that the fire has been burning there since 1400 years.

"This fire was brought from Iran by those who had to leave the country on account of Islamic invasion. Thus the fire is also known as Iranshah," said Dhondy.

Asho Zarthost or Asho Zoroaster is the prophet of the followers of Zoroastrian religion. Their sacred book is known as Holy Khordeh Awastha which has the 'gaathas' or the original songs of Zarthost Sahib which have helped in forming the base of the Zoroastrian religion.

There are approximately 80,000 Parsis all over the world. "We have kept to our promise of mingling in the society like sugar in milk. The Zoroastrians don't believe in fasting, asceticism and celibacy. No gender bias in practiced by us and we also don't believe in any caste-based discrimination," said Dhondy.

Certainly, the Parsis are strictly following their simple religious code of 'good deeds, good thoughts and good words'.