On July 31, 2022, according to the Parsi Shenshai calendar, the Parsi Agiary (fire temple) at M.G. Road will mark 175 years of its existence. A jashn (celebration) is being planned by the small community that has thrived in Hyderabad from Nizam’s time. “The Seth Viccaji-Seth Pestonji Mehrji Agiary was built by two brothers Viccaji Mehrji and Pestonji Mehrji. The Atash Adaran (holy fire) was consecrated on September 12, 1847,” informs Jehangir Pilcher, the priest of the temple.
The temple has a fresh coat of paint and two large winged bulls or godhas have been placed on either side of the entrance. “We have added a ramp to make it disabled-friendly. We moved the holy fire to a different site when the workers carried out the renovation work inside,” informs Mr. Pilcher, who has been the priest of the oldest Parsi temple in south India for the past 38 years.
The planned two-day celebrations will bring the who’s who of Parsi community to Hyderabad. “Among the guests for the event are Justice (Retd.) Shahrukh J Kathawalla, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Fali H Major, Major General Cyrus Addie Pithawalla (Retd.), Bachi Karkaria, and Kersi K Deboo (Vice-Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities),” informs Arnaz Bisney, an active community member.
