The Indian Parsi
For people living in the cities and towns of India, the chances of your awareness of the Parsi community will be quite high. However, only those, who have interacted socially with a Parsi, will have some basic knowledge of the Parsi community – its ethos, its religion, or its culture. So as a Parsi, I decided I take the opportunity of this auspicious season, to share some information about us Parsis.
As per the 2011 Census of India, Parsis are an extremely minuscule minority in India. The Parsis population was 57,264, out of a total population of 1.2 billion. That is a miserly 0.0047% of the total population of India. And these numbers are dwindling rapidly.
Parsi’s Antecedents:
Fars (Pars) Province
The word Parsi is derived from the word ‘Pars’, which was the name of a region called Pars (currently called Fars), in ancient Persia (now Iran). Parsis follow the Zoroastrian religion, which is named after their prophet ‘Zoroaster’. Parsis call ourselves ‘Zarathushtis’, derived from the Persian name of our prophet ‘Zarathushtra’. The words – ‘Zoroaster’ and ‘Zoroastrianism’, are Greek derivatives of ‘Zarathushtra’ & ‘Zarathushti’. The Zoroastrian’s God is ‘Ahura Mazda’.
Zarathushtra
Although it is possible that Zoroastrianism has roots dating back to the second millennium BCE, it is in the 5th century BCE that we see the first official records of Zoroastrianism.
Per the original Avestan language of the ancient Zoroastrians, the Parsi Zoroastrian morality is summed up in one simple phrase, ‘Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta’; i.e., ‘Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds’.
From Persia to India:
Pillar at Sanjan
Parsis migrated from Persia to Gujarat, India, between the 8th and 10th century CE. We landed in a place called Sanjan, in Gujarat, where we were received by the local ruler, Jadi Rana. He allowed the Parsis to stay, on the condition that we adopt the local language (Gujarati), and that we assimilate seamlessly into the local community, adopting local dress styles and such other customs.
Over the years, Gujarati became the native language of the community and the sari the garment of the women. However, the Parsis preserved their separate cultural and religious identity.
Parsis @ Mumbai:
The years from 1650 to 1670 witnessed the first wave of Parsi weavers and artisans migrating from Gujarat to Mumbai in large numbers. By 1780, Parsis were 9.2% of the population of Mumbai. And by 1812, the number of Parsis in Mumbai had quadrupled. A second large wave of Parsi migrated from Surat to Mumbai following a huge fire in Surat, in 1837. Currently, around 70% of all Indian Parsis live in Mumbai.
Parsis are intimately connected with the history of Mumbai. The cotton boom was largely fuelled by Parsi entrepreneurs. The oldest newspaper in Asia & Mumbai, ‘Mumbai Samachar’, was established by a Parsi in 1822. Jam-E-Jamshed, the second oldest newspaper in Asia & Mumbai, meant specifically for Parsis, was established in 1832. Parsis such as, Dadabhai Naoroji, Phirozeshah Mehta, Madam Cama and Dinshaw Vachha were founding members of the Indian National Congress. One of India’s biggest industrial house was founded by a Parsi, Jamsetji Tata. The geographic shape of modern day Mumbai was broadly determined by members of the Jeejeebhoy and Readymoney families, through donations to build causeways, roads and buildings.
Parsis @ Bandra:
Parsis have a very old and strong presence in the Queen of Suburbs, the happening Bandra suburb. The two agiaries (fire temples) are a testament to that.
Tata & Panthaky Agiary
The Tata Agiary, on Hill Road, Bandra is more than 134 years old. The second agiary, which is more than 90 years old, is the Panthaky Agiary, on Turner Road (road leading to Bandra station).
Bandra houses one of the best gated Parsi colonies in Mumbai – The Tata Blocks – meant for Parsis only. Within its three compounds, Tata Blocks has over 290 flats in 25 buildings. Nearly 70% of the occupants are senior citizens. The Tata Blocks are managed by the Bai Hirabai Tata Memorial Trust.
The timelines of the above agiaries tell us that Parsis have been an integral part of the Bandra ‘ecosystem’ for more than 130 years. Out of the several communities that grace and occupy Bandra, the Catholic & Parsi communities have much in common, and are to quite an extent responsible for the quaint, bustling, and happening flavour and culture of Bandra. Both are fun loving communities that have a taste for good food, good drinks, fine arts, western music, dancing –– I am sure you are getting the drift!
The Two New Years:
Jamshedi Navroz Celebration
Parsis celebrate two New Years, in one calendar year. We have own calendar – the ‘Shahenshahi’ calendar, which constitutes twelve months, with 30 days per month. Per the Gregorian (regular English) calendar, the first New Year is ‘Jamshedi Navroz’, which always falls on the day of the equinox, which is typically between 20th & 24 March of every year. Traditionally in ancient Persia, this festival was celebrated as the welcoming of spring, wherein Zoroastrians would get together as a whole united family and celebrate the festival with love, colours, light and food.
The second New Year is the Parsi New Year – ‘Navroz’. Per the Parsi calendar, the day of ‘Navroz’ is the first day of the New Year. To put it simply, it is similar to the 1st of January, of the Gregorian calendar.
Since the Parsi calendar does not consider leap years and thirty-one (31) days in a month, the date of ‘Navroz’ goes backwards by one day, every four years. For instance, if ‘Navroz’ was on 18 August, in the year 2015, then after the leap year, ‘Navroz’ will then move to 17 August, in 2018.
Some Ceremonies & Traditional Practices:
Muktad Prayers Ceremony
‘Navroz’ is preceded by the ‘Muktad’ ceremony prayers for the dear departed souls of our family, relatives and friends. During these days, the spirit of the departed souls comes down to Earth. Ceremonies are performed and prayers are recited, for the peace and happiness of the departed souls.
‘Muktad’, in Sanskrit, means liberated soul. This happens during the last ten days of the Parsi calendar, wherein the last day (30th day of the last month) of the Muktad is called ‘Pateti/Papeti’. ‘Pateti/Papeti’ is a very sombre day, for all Parsis.
The last five days of the Parsi year are known as the ‘Gathas’, which are the holiest days of the year. During the Gathas, Parsis are not allowed to cut their hair or nails, the reason being, we should put all their attention only on religious activities.
During these Muktad days, all the agiaries are resplendent, in their best form. The agiaries are full (literally to the brim!) of the fragrant aroma of burning ‘sukhar’ (sandalwood) and fresh & beautiful flowers. There is peace and tranquillity in the agiary, as one hears the steady hum of the priests’ prayers, while Parsis offer flowers & fruits to the souls of the departed; light a diva (oil lamp) and offer sukhar sticks (‘sandalwood’) for the holy fire.
At the end of ten days, it is time to bring in ‘Navroz’, the Parsi New Year. During the early hours morning of ‘Navroz’ (i.e., night of ‘Pateti/Papeti’), Parsis congregate to the agiaries en-masse, wherein the Head Priest (‘Panthak Dasturji’) of the agiary leads the congregation in a group prayer, bidding good bye to the departed souls, and inviting them to come again the following year, to bless new members of the family.
Celebrations & Festivities:
Parsis Celebrating Navroz
On the morning of ‘Navroz’, if you are living close to the Parsi agiaries, keep your eyes peeled for Parsis making their way to the agiaries, in their ‘Sunday’ best clothes. Parsi men have their heads covered with a satin or velvet skull cap, in shades of red, black or blue 
colours. Most ladies will adorn their heads either with a colourful scarf, ‘dupatta’ or the ‘pallu’ of their saree. You will see little girls in their brand new frilly dresses, looking absolutely angelic; and little boys looking ‘tip-top’, in their brand new shirt and pants. A Parsi will always wear something new on the ‘Navroz’ day.
After the morning prayers at the agiary are over, the day’s festivities start. Sewai (vermicelli), with fresh curd, or ‘Rawo’ (Parsi style sweet kheer made out of ‘suji’ – semolina) is served to family, friends and relatives who visit a Parsi’s home. It is the time for phone calls and visits to greet near and dear ones. It is to be noted that Parsis do not greet each other with the words, ‘Pateti/Papeti Mubarak’ or ‘Pateti/Papeti & Navroz Mubarak’, because the day of ‘Pateti/Papeti’ is not a happy occasion for the Parsis. We greet each other with – ‘Navroz Mubarak’ – on the day of ‘Navroz’.
Sometimes, the evening entertainment could include a Parsi (Gujarati) play at a theatre. As dinner time approaches, family, friends and relatives gather together for a festive evening. On such occasions – drinks, food, music and dance are a must! Cheers dikra!
Food is often ordered from caterers who specialise in Parsi cuisine. Favourites would include dishes such as – yellow ‘daal’ & rice, with ‘patiyo’; or curry rice; or pulav; or ‘salli boti’; or ‘farcha’; or cutlets. All of the above, with choices of meat – mutton, chicken, fish, or prawns. Makes your mouth water, doesn’t it?
And so, on this happy foodie note, we welcome our ‘Navroz’ with prayers for peace, joy, happiness, health and prosperity for our families, friends and relatives!
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