Surat’s Modi Atash Behram Celebrates 195th Salgreh

The Modi Shahenshahi Atash Behram in Surat celebrated its 195th salgreh on 2nd October, 2018, with a ‘Machi’ at 7:00 am in Havan Geh. Attended by over a hundred Parsis, the highlight was the ‘Kavyani Zando’ procession which was paraded through the streets near the Atash Behram at 7:30 am. Parsis garlanded the ‘Zanda’, performed achhu michhu, donated cash or grains, and distributed sweets. As the procession returned to the Atash Behram, they sang ‘Chhaiye Hame Jarthosti’, followed by a Garba performance by the Parsi ladies, as the flag was hoisted atop the Atash Behram. A ‘Khushali nu Jasan’ was performed by thirty-seven mobeds, under the guidance of Vada Dasturji Cyrus Noshirwan Dastoor and Er. Faredoon Turel. The afternoon celebrations witnessed a gambhar (for men and children), followed by a religious talk by Shri Marzban Gyara organized by the Athornan Mandal at 6:00 pm. A jasan was performed in the Aiwisuthrem geh, followed by community dinner.

– Courtesy Jasmine Baria and Maharukh Chichgar

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[otw_shortcode_info_box border_style=”bordered” css_class=”boxed”]What is ‘Kavyani Zando’: Legend says that the tyrant King Zohak of Peshdadin dynasty killed the sons of Kaveh who was a blacksmith. To avenge the death of his sons, he collected a group of soldiers to fight Zohak. Uniting under the flag made of leather, all of them took the help of Faredoon and defeated Zohak. Faredoon decorated this ‘Kavyani’ flag (as it was made by Kaveh) with silk cloth, gold and silver thread and precious gems. Later, the flag became a respected symbol of the kings who followed. The flag is 11 ft. long and 5 ft. broad, and made of silk cloth. It has the symbol of the sun, moon, afarganiyu, with Atash and a Farohar embroidered on it in gold and silver zari work.[/otw_shortcode_info_box]

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