---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: TZML Admins
Date: Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Subject: Ruining the pavitra environment of Pak Iranshah Atashbehram at Udvada
PLEASE PASS ON THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, RELATIVES, FRIENDS
AND ALL GOOD ZARATHUSHTIS WHO WISH TO PRESERVE
AND PROTECT OUR RELIGION AND OUR PLACES OF WORSHIP
HUMATA HUKHTA HAVARASHTA!
23 January 2009
Dear Zarathushti humdins,
cc: Vada Dasturjis,
cc: Ervad Sahebs,
cc: Parsiana,
cc: The Parsee Voice,
cc: Zoroastrian Studies,
cc: Parsi Pukar,
cc: Dini-Awaz,
cc: Prominent Zoroastrians,
cc: TZML
cc: TMYZ officials
We are very sad to hear about the recent so-called modernisation which
has taken place at our holiest Atashbehram, the Iranshah at Udvada.
All that these changes just decrease the pavitrata (holy atmosphere)
of Iranshah.
We must understand that Iranshah is not a museum that it need be
glossed up to attract visitors and neither is Udvada a tourist centre
which needs to be "modernised" so more tourists come there. If one
needs to showcase a tourist spot, then Sanjan and Navsari are more
appropriate places.
Parsis go to Iranshah primarily for offering their sincere prayers to
the most Exalted of our Holy Fires, and as commensurate with a holy
place, a bit of simplicity and spartan atmosphere is indeed necessary.
The "holy bulls" and the "angelic figures" guarding the gates look
gaudy and cheap. Some Zarathushtis have even written that these are
made of synthetic material, which is taboo for religious places like
Atashbehrams.
What was the need to change the existing serene atmosphere of the
building of Iranshah. Preservation yes, but attempting to add modern
day grandeur to a splendid ancient building does not make sense.
In a recent speech at Udvada, Vada Dasturji Dr. Peshotan Dastur
Hormazdyar Mirza mentioned that the tranquil and serene ambiance of
Udvada attracted the forefathers of the present Nine Family Athornan
Anjuman-Udvada, who decided to enthrone the Holy Fire permanently at
Udvada. In contrast, Sanjan had by that time become a commercial
centre and the atmosphere was not conducive to peace and quiet which
is what the Holy Iranshah unconditionally needs to maintain the
spiritual sanctity.
Dasturji Mirza also emphasized that to maintain the religious and
spiritual sanctity of the Holy Iranshah; it becomes our duty that
Udvada should not be turned into a Tourist Centre with Tourist Lodge,
Tourist Walk etc. He added emphatically that the Tourist Agenda and
the clauses that are not in the interest of The Holy Iranshah and
Udvada should be deleted from the FDU Trust Deed. He further
maintained that Udvada is a 'Holy' place and must remain a 'Holy
Place' and no attempt should be made to turn it into a 'Holiday Place'
as this would ruin the sanctity of Udvada as a place of Parsi/Irani
Zarathushti pilgrimage.
When the Mumbai Municipal Corporation has agreed to preserve some 47
Agiaries in Mumbai, why does the Udvada Anjuman have to give
permission to those who have ruined the Iranshah building.
Due diligence should be exerted and orthodox scholars like Mr. Adi
Doctor, Mrs. Pervin Mistry, Ervad Roointon P Peer, etc should be
consulted before such work is undertaken in the future.
We also enclose the photos of the "modernisation" efforts.
The pictures do the talking.
Thank you to those who have sent the cautionary note below to us.
We request that it be shared to other members of our community to
bring an awareness of this issue of "modernisation" of our religious
institutions. Today it is Iranshah, tomorrow it may be the local
Atashbehram or Agiary, next to you.
Let us all exert vigilance in this issue and work closely with the
trustees of the Agiaries and Atashbehrams so that such breaches do not
happen again in the future.
In case you wish to correspond with us, our email is
tzmladmn@gmail.com Sincerely,
TZML Admins.
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Forwarded Message Attachment--
Subject: IRANSHAH ATASH BEHRAM post recent renovation
Cold blooded murder of Iranshah Heritage Building in the name of renovation.
Were these fancy additions to a heritage building really necessary ?
Wasn't the existing Atash Behram structure including the gate, stairs
with brass banister beautiful enough that we need to create studio
sets like these ? Only the lights, actors and camera crew seem to be
missing.
Soon you will find fickle minded devotees kissing and hugging hoofs of
the bull and statue embossed at the entrance and ask for additional
blessing to fulfill their wishes. This in a way promoting idol worship
which is forbidden in our religion. This sight is very common in
Mumbai Renovated agairies.
That's the front side of the building. What has been done inside the
premises and the open area within the Iranshah premises is even more
disgusting.
The old tiles on the floor in the main hall have been replaced with
white marble with stone inlay work. You get impression as if you have
entered a hotel and not in an Atash Behram. The old beautiful yellow
tiles on the wall have been replaced with white marble. Based on past
experience we know that all this marble will turn yellow in no time.
Old Brass handles and fittings are replaced with chrome fittings on
the door. Brass banisters have vanished.
For Parsee / Irani Zoroastrians, Iranshah is our "Vatican".Do we ever
hear of such crazy changes made to the Vatican just because some one
with pots of money didn't feel the existing structure is beautiful
enough. On the contrary great efforts are made to restore the
structure to how it was when it was originally built.
But for the people on this Iranshah project it is not restoration but
renovation. They treat this heritage structure like a 5 star hotel
lobby, one that needs to be given a new look every few years to keep
up with the modern trends.
What's more, all the debris of this renovation which includes the
tiles, plaster, cement, old carpet pieces etc have been thrown in the
open area ( behind the toilets ) WITHIN the Iranshah compound
boundary. The debris has been spread and NOT piled in this open area.
This clearly indicates that this mess will remain even after the
renovation is over. This area which is and was used by the Mobeds for
their nahan and beresnum ceremony has now become a rubbish dump.
The small room next to the main door ( where the Dadgah fire was
temporarily placed in the past ) is now a dusty dumping room of old
carpets, clocks, furniture etc which is understandable. But what was
Alarming and Shameful is in the center of this dusty messy pile was a
very valuable old huge copy of the Sacred Vendidad in ancient Avesta
script. The book was completely covered with dust. Considering it is
a rare scared book shouldn't the so called Vada Dastur be more
vigilant ? Further shocking is the disrespectful way Zarthost Big
frame is kept on the ground gathering dust. Should this be left to the
workers who do not know the value of things around.
In the month of February 2008 I have seen workers in the Iranshaw
Kebla hall SPITTING on the floor while working where piles of marble
sheets were kept. So ignorant are these workers that even my telling
them not to spit being a holy place did not register in their mind.
The embedded Kash , Vibrating flux surrounding the Iranshah Kebla is
all gone. The locals - agree they also have faith in Iranshah were
permitted inside the Kebla Sanctum to bow on the Stone Pedastal and
light a Diva and be blessed. Good additional income to the Divawala -
you know who ! Even the foreigners were allowed to go in being a
tourist spot. Have all these non Parsi coming in the Kebla have taken
BATH before entering ? In fact allowing them inside the Atash Behram
and Kebla the ignorant worshippers have committed a sin . A grave sin
is also committed by the the so called protector and guardian of
Iranshah and learned Dastur of Udwada.
Does any of the Udwada Dastur and Mobeds know what is Kash and Its
significance. Iranshah Fire when replaced on its throne will be
nothing but a stand alone fire in the Kebla. All powers of the
Iranshah Fire will be gone. This is for those who understand what I
mean. All that one can say is forgive them as they know not what they
have done.
Should we say Cheers to Udwada Anjuman and Wah Wah to the head ?
