From: TZML Admins
Date: Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Subject: More Criticism Received On The Crude Alterations Done At Pak Iranshah Atashbehram, Udvada
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>
HUMATA HUKHTA HAVARASHTA!
5 February 2009
Dear Zarathushti humdins,
cc: Vada Dasturjis,
cc: Ervad Sahebs,
cc: The Parsee Voice,
cc: Zoroastrian Studies,
cc: Parsi Pukar,
cc: Dini-Awaz,
cc: Prominent Zoroastrians,
cc: TZML
cc: TMYZ officials
Just one of the growing reactions to the appalling renovation work at the Iranshah Atashbehram. This one below is from my friend Sarosh Bana, a senior journalist based in Mumbai.
Regards,
Nauzer
This is our most sacred site, we cannot treat it with such poor work and then remain indifferent.
For example.......and many of you know better, the two bulls/oxen, actually Assyrian in origin, but in Zoroastrian tradition represent Guesh Urvan, the Soul of the Kine, who cried out for a Saviour in the Gathas.......and also seen to uphold the world.
May the sordid aims of these people, who are aiming to denigrate an ancient people's belief, be ever defeated and come to naught, by the Grace of Dadar Ahura Mazda. Destructive acts of such people are not inspired by God, since it is not God who destroys in our religion, but it is God who creates (Ardibehest Yasht Nirang). May these modern day destroyers be defeated in their evil aims, and may they learn to respect an ancient people's pride in their heritage and beleifs. ========================= Mr. S.D.Buhariwala says ==================================
Date: Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Subject: More Criticism Received On The Crude Alterations Done At Pak Iranshah Atashbehram, Udvada
To: TZML <TraditionalZarathushtris@yahoogroups.com>
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!
5 February 2009
Dear Zarathushti humdins,
cc: Vada Dasturjis,
cc: Ervad Sahebs,
cc: The Parsee Voice,
cc: Zoroastrian Studies,
cc: Parsi Pukar,
cc: Dini-Awaz,
cc: Prominent Zoroastrians,
cc: TZML
cc: TMYZ officials
Dear Zarathushti humdins,
since our previous email to you on this subject, many Zarathushtis have expressed similar criticism and some have even expressed their outrage in the crude manner in which renovations have been made, and the manner in which 'Divine Bulls" have been placed in the Iranshah building premises.
A concerned gentleman Mr. Geve Eruch Narielwalla, currently residing in New Zealand, has even started a website blog with a voting feature where you can cast your vote of disapproval and insert some comments too.
Please visit Disapproval of Iranshah renovation and register your protest there soon. The votes and your valuable comments will be further forwarded all the way to the right authorities.
Repeating that Dasturji Mirza 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.
Please see below for comments from other Parsis.
But all in all do not forget to cast your vote to remove these crude fittings and leave a note by clicking on this link Disapproval of Iranshah renovation.
If you wish to communicate with us, the email is tzmladmn@gmail.com
Thank you to all who have written to us and to those who have voiced their opinions on the website-blog.
If you wish to join TZML and be amidst other fellow minded traditional Parsi Irani Zarathushtis, send an email to TraditionalZarathushtris-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Sincerely,
TZML Admins.
Email: tzmladmn@gmail.com
(please see below)
====================== Mr. Nauzer Bharucha, Senior Reporter in a National Daily ===================
Dear all,
Just one of the growing reactions to the appalling renovation work at the Iranshah Atashbehram. This one below is from my friend Sarosh Bana, a senior journalist based in Mumbai.
Regards,
Nauzer
==================== Mr. Sarosh Bana, a Senior journalist in Mumbai ============================
On my recent visit to Udvada, I too was appalled to see this atrocity.
The sanctity of Iranshah certainly has been devalued and the place now looks like a cheap movie set from Film City. When one descends the steps, one is confronted right in the face with the 'manhood' of these bulls and it presents a real ugly sight. I have taken photographs also of this.
There certainly was no need for this work, but then what does one expect with the sort of "Vada Dastur" who reigns over Udvada with no one to question him?
It would be important to go into the cost of this entire renovation - including any trumped up cost - and determine why this work was at all necessary when the Iranshah was in perfect condition, having been extensively refurbished just some years ago at considerable cost and over a prolonged period. Even if this was done by private funding, it is an uncalled for drain on finances that could have been better spent on more worthwhile activities for the community.
Unless accountability is fixed with more seriousness by those concerned, these brazen elements within our community will keep on rising from strength to strength.
Regards,
Sarosh
The sanctity of Iranshah certainly has been devalued and the place now looks like a cheap movie set from Film City. When one descends the steps, one is confronted right in the face with the 'manhood' of these bulls and it presents a real ugly sight. I have taken photographs also of this.
There certainly was no need for this work, but then what does one expect with the sort of "Vada Dastur" who reigns over Udvada with no one to question him?
It would be important to go into the cost of this entire renovation - including any trumped up cost - and determine why this work was at all necessary when the Iranshah was in perfect condition, having been extensively refurbished just some years ago at considerable cost and over a prolonged period. Even if this was done by private funding, it is an uncalled for drain on finances that could have been better spent on more worthwhile activities for the community.
Unless accountability is fixed with more seriousness by those concerned, these brazen elements within our community will keep on rising from strength to strength.
Regards,
Sarosh
===================== Mr. Geve Erach Narielwalla, New Zealand ============================
Dear all,
As you will be well aware, our most revered Iranshah Atash Behram has come in for renovation and ornamental Zoroastrian symbols added to the building exterior, a new gate with a pair of guards, and two Guardian Oxen on either side of the building steps.
These are, as most of you certainly know better, in very poor imitation of Zoroastrian iconic symbols and bas reliefs surviving in Persian sites in Iran-
My thoughts in the matter are, if these are put up, in poor imitation, at some Zoroastrian centre for any of our multifarious activities-schools, dharamshalas, even at an agiary which is not a great Zoroastrian icon, etc., this can be considered lightly.
But, here we have the sad occurrence, of this "film set" additions (as some people are already calling it) on the premises of our most holy of holies, the most sacred, and world renowned Iranshah.
Please visit my blog, especially created, to get Zarathustris to realise what is happening, detailing the issue and providing pictures of the additions, pictures from ancient Iran (and Assyria), pictures of two agiaries where these additions are done correctly, and pictures of how other faiths take such work seriously and go to great lengths to embellish their temples to enhance their dignity and sanctity.
I have also said, in my blog, if we had limited funds for such work, we should not have gone in for these additions.........just repaired the structure, if so required, renovated in good taste within the budget available.
Please visit my blog: udvadarenovation
I have requested that these garish additions be dismantled, at least redone with better art, in white stone, marble, or bronze, funds permitting.
But we all need to get together in such a situation..........a lone crusade is useless
As you will be well aware, our most revered Iranshah Atash Behram has come in for renovation and ornamental Zoroastrian symbols added to the building exterior, a new gate with a pair of guards, and two Guardian Oxen on either side of the building steps.
These are, as most of you certainly know better, in very poor imitation of Zoroastrian iconic symbols and bas reliefs surviving in Persian sites in Iran-
My thoughts in the matter are, if these are put up, in poor imitation, at some Zoroastrian centre for any of our multifarious activities-schools, dharamshalas, even at an agiary which is not a great Zoroastrian icon, etc., this can be considered lightly.
But, here we have the sad occurrence, of this "film set" additions (as some people are already calling it) on the premises of our most holy of holies, the most sacred, and world renowned Iranshah.
Please visit my blog, especially created, to get Zarathustris to realise what is happening, detailing the issue and providing pictures of the additions, pictures from ancient Iran (and Assyria), pictures of two agiaries where these additions are done correctly, and pictures of how other faiths take such work seriously and go to great lengths to embellish their temples to enhance their dignity and sanctity.
I have also said, in my blog, if we had limited funds for such work, we should not have gone in for these additions.........just repaired the structure, if so required, renovated in good taste within the budget available.
Please visit my blog: udvadarenovation
I have requested that these garish additions be dismantled, at least redone with better art, in white stone, marble, or bronze, funds permitting.
But we all need to get together in such a situation..........a lone crusade is useless
This is our most sacred site, we cannot treat it with such poor work and then remain indifferent.
For example.......and many of you know better, the two bulls/oxen, actually Assyrian in origin, but in Zoroastrian tradition represent Guesh Urvan, the Soul of the Kine, who cried out for a Saviour in the Gathas.......and also seen to uphold the world.
That is why they are shown as "supporting" any structure, they "support" the columns of the Gate of All Nations, in Persepolis ........and are likewise depicted at the Cusrow Baug Agiary. At Iranshah these are free standing, in some wrong colour, and many other inaccurate features, inaccurate face.........the write up and pictures in my blog clarifies.
Is there any way you all can support this sad but fully reversible issue, by inclusion of my blog and your comments in your websites, journals, and refer to my blog, asking your readers to visit the blog and "vote."
If other course of action in this matter is underway, I would like to have details of this, so I can join and lend my support.
We should solve this issue as Zoroastrians, not as liberals, traditionalists, Kshnoomists, but as followers of the great Prophet Zarathusht.
Your response will be very greatly valued by me.
Sincerely,
Geve
Is there any way you all can support this sad but fully reversible issue, by inclusion of my blog and your comments in your websites, journals, and refer to my blog, asking your readers to visit the blog and "vote."
If other course of action in this matter is underway, I would like to have details of this, so I can join and lend my support.
We should solve this issue as Zoroastrians, not as liberals, traditionalists, Kshnoomists, but as followers of the great Prophet Zarathusht.
Your response will be very greatly valued by me.
Sincerely,
Geve
========================= Mr. K. Kerawalla, Mumbai =======================================
| Requesting the Athornan Anjuman of Udvada to please see to it that the material used for the construction of the Achaemenid Bull Men(1) should be of natural origin and not synthetic plastic..... These Achaemenid Bull Men are going to be placed on the enterance of the Wadia Makaan(i.e.building) . The reason for this request is that, if they are made of any synthetic material then they can never be made Paav (i.e.concecrated) .For reference please refer the Holy Vendidad Pargarad 7.(2) Late Eruchshah Karkaria of Navsari (disciple of Late Dr.Faramroze S Chinivala and Late Jehangirji S Chinivala) use to call plastic as " Ayokhshasta a Yozdaai"(i.e. it can never be made pure) and should never be used in Agiaries and AtashBehram Saheb Makans. 'If they be of silver, you shall wash them twice with gomez, you shall rub them twice with earth, you shall wash them twice with water, and they shall be clean. [75. 'If they be of brass, you shall wash them thrice with gomez, you shall rub them thrice with earth, you shall wash them thrice with water, and they shall be clean.'If they be of steel, you shall wash them four times with gomez, you shall rub them four times with earth, you shall wash them four times with water, and they shall be clean. 'If they be of stone, you shall wash them six times with gomez, you shall rub them six times with earth, you shall wash them six times with water, and they shall be clean72.] 'If they be of earth, of wood, or of clay, they are unclean for ever and ever73.' >>> |
And:
| What will be consecrated for sure is the Whole Wadia Makan (i.e. building) as it was desecrated. Only after the consecration of the Wadia Makan will Shreeji Paak Iranshah AtashBehram Saheb be shifted from the Petit Makan. After the Padshah Saheb is shifted to the Wadia Makan no Non Parsi will be allowed to even touch the building.Do not know if the gate and the other area, which have been desecrated will also be consecrated. Late Jehangirji S Chinivala (in "Parsi Avaz") has given details on how to consecrate a building, which is going to house a spiritual Monarch (AtashBehram Padshah Saheb). In one of his "Parsi Avaz" articles he has mentioned that the compound surrounding the Padshah Sahebs Makan should have gospands, trees and flowering plants belonging to the Barjisi (Jupiter) genus.Will try to give the "Parsi Avaz" article dates for those who want to study more and repent . |
=============================== Mr. Cyrus writes ====================================
When ghelabhai,& ganda bhai, takes up job of spending $$ & show it to like minded bawaji, for their fame & name. this is the outcome.just wait for few years to see it in shamble.
Aakkhhi history, simlicity, vintage beauty ni mai patter dhami nakhi. shame!!.
Remember Mogal empire falled when started spending on mega structures.
Learn from history.
There was no need to touch it even in this fashion.
============================= Deen Parast writes ====================================
When a heritage site is being promoted as a tourist attraction, such incongruous and strange structures are bound to come up, all to attract tourists. This has happened all around the world and is now happening in our sacred site. Sad but true. We pray that the hidden TRUE custodians of the Holy Fire have taken steps to protect the Holy Fire from the many attempts being made right now by the so-called "tourists" to attack our ancient belief system, that our fires are meant for the eyes of born Zarathushtris only.
May the sordid aims of these people, who are aiming to denigrate an ancient people's belief, be ever defeated and come to naught, by the Grace of Dadar Ahura Mazda. Destructive acts of such people are not inspired by God, since it is not God who destroys in our religion, but it is God who creates (Ardibehest Yasht Nirang). May these modern day destroyers be defeated in their evil aims, and may they learn to respect an ancient people's pride in their heritage and beleifs. Atha Jamyat Yatha Afrinami. So may it be, as we wish.When a heritage site is being promoted as a tourist attraction, such incongruous and strange structures are bound to come up, all to attract tourists. This has happened all around the world and is now happening in our sacred site. Sad but true. We pray that the hidden TRUE custodians of the Holy Fire have taken steps to protect the Holy Fire from the many attempts being made right now by the so-called "tourists" to attack our ancient belief system, that our fires are meant for the eyes of born Zarathushtris only.
May the sordid aims of these people, who are aiming to denigrate an ancient people's belief, be ever defeated and come to naught, by the Grace of Dadar Ahura Mazda. Destructive acts of such people are not inspired by God, since it is not God who destroys in our religion, but it is God who creates (Ardibehest Yasht Nirang). May these modern day destroyers be defeated in their evil aims, and may they learn to respect an ancient people's pride in their heritage and beleifs.
Atha Jamyat Yatha Afrinami.
So may it be, as we wish.
I agree it is distasteful and inappropriate.
============================ A concerned Zarathushti writes ===========================
These additions are completely ridiculous!
If people have money to throw please contribute to the Kathi Funds of various Agiaries & Atash Behrams. Even Atash Behrams such as the Anjuman Atash Behram is asking for donations towards Kathi fund as the current funds prove insufficient. There are so many agiaries in desperate need of repairs. Do something about that.
The Iranshah Atash Behram structure had its own simple style and therein lies its elegance. To have these ugly additions and funny men on the entrance gates makes it look so cheap! I remember a very beautiful photo of the Iran Shah Entrance on a cover of a book with boganvilla flowers. That was beautiful !
The Iranshah Atash Behram structure had its own simple style and therein lies its elegance. To have these ugly additions and funny men on the entrance gates makes it look so cheap! I remember a very beautiful photo of the Iran Shah Entrance on a cover of a book with boganvilla flowers. That was beautiful !
Honestly, are these new additions really considered artistic!?? It truely represents the nouveau-rich in India. Excess money but no class !! Sorry but the Udwada Atash Behram is not a flashy Las Vegas Hotel that you make such GARISH additions !
Please leave it alone!
=========================== A Zarathoshti from Priestly family in USA writes ============================================
Believe me or not, when I visited Udvada during my visit to India, I gave a long speech to my children when we saw these new unwanted additions being added at our Holy Atashbehram. Upon reading your article, it seems that every word I said then is clearly reflected in your article.
There is a segment of individuals who are out to destroy our holy place & turn it into a tourist spot that it will ultimately result in non-Parsis entering the Atash-Behram.
The pristine atmosphere has been destroyed beyond repair. At the very sight of what was taking place I had feelings of sadness run through my mind, spine & heart.
Absolute sacrilege is taking place in the phony name of repairs.
There is a segment of individuals who are out to destroy our holy place & turn it into a tourist spot that it will ultimately result in non-Parsis entering the Atash-Behram.
The pristine atmosphere has been destroyed beyond repair. At the very sight of what was taking place I had feelings of sadness run through my mind, spine & heart.
Absolute sacrilege is taking place in the phony name of repairs.
==============================================================================================================
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
