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The Maiyat Khan Saheb Faramji Kawasji Adariyan and Dharamshala and its Nibhau Fund run Agiyari in Sayajigunj was built 85 years ago, and underwent restoration recently.
The decision was made after a senior member from the community, Firoz Wadia, felt that despite the restoration it would be seen only by a handful of community members. So, he thought, it should be made open for the people at least for a small duration. Unfortunately, Wadia died soon after and the idea was discussed among the trustees of the Agiyari, who decided to fulfil his wish.
"We will let the doors of the Agiyari open for the people for a month from Sunday onwards. The holy fire has been shifted to another hall in the same premises. We are aware about the religious sentiments and we will follow all the necessary precautions," said Nikitin Contractor, one of the trustees of the Agiyari.
The development has, however, created ripples within the community. "The Parsi Panchayat is nowhere concerned with the issue because decisions like these are taken only by the religious priests. If it is so, then it will certainly invite a debate at the national level because our religion strictly restricts people who are non-Parsis from entering the holy place. If I am not wrong, then persons organising such events would be questioned by the religious priests," said Darius Master of the Surat Parsi Panchayat.
Contractor, however, said that his trust has the full power to take the decision concerned with the Sayajigunj Parsi Agiyari. “It is not that during the restoration we allowed people to enter, but we have decided to organise a special event to let people come close to our community, and understand us. I have not faced any problem from within the community while going ahead with this idea,” he said.
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The restoration work is basically carried out by the labourers, who are basically non parsis. The masaons, carpenters, painters etc. When they can enter the "Kebla" to replace the tiles or paint the walls, Its OKAY, But when the trustees are now opening up the Agariyari for just a month extra. WHY THE HO HUM.
i think this should never be allowed and all the heritage and culture that we as Parsis have protected for so long should not be thrown open like this. If this gets a begining once then it is bound to continue and there will be nothing left of our religion. if you can allow non parsis to enter the agiary which is shocking then you might as well allow everything. i think all the trustees should be asked to resign from this agiary as they have no idea what they are planning and do not foresee the consequences.is the agiary a museum and just because it is restored that does that mean one should allow non parsis.Even our Iranshah in Udawada is under going restoration then why not allow non parsis to enter there too. I THINK YOU GUYS DONT DESERVE TO BE CALLED PARSIS IF YOU HAVE SUCH THOUGHTS AND IDEAS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. JUST BECAUSE YOU OWN AN AGIARY YOU CANNOT TAKE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT. YOU HAVE SHAKEN US ALL UP BY YOUR WEIRD THOUGHTS.
Not a sensible decision.The community is alive because it preserved convention.Do not go against Iranshaw's wish
A very laudable deed congrats on a bold decision way to go!
reading the story that you trustees are throwing open the agiary during renovation to outside public is a cheap publicity stunt there must be reformist or intermarried in this family who is creating this uncalled for attention