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Thespiritual

traditionalceremonies thatwere held by theZoroastrianAssociation ofHouston (ZAH)from 21 to 24Marchinaugurated thefirst continuouswood burningAtash outsideAsia in theBhandara AtashKadeh inHouston, Texas.The events willbe etched inhistory forever.There was asense of pride inthe air. We areblessed. As ourparents andgrandparentswould say ...“Khodaiji nahaazaaro upkar”(thousands of thanks to God). The fourdays of events had 250+ attendees at mostevents, while there were 650 at the GrandGala Celebration.

21 March 2019: Thanks to the vision andgenerosity of Feroze and ShernazBhandara, the Atash Kadeh, meaning ahouse of fire, became a reality. Theevening began with an Atash Niyayaesh, aBaj ceremony, followed by a Humbandagi.Seven Ervads, using sandalwood collectedfrom the Houston community the day beforechanted loudly our Avesta prayers. Manyhad travelled from California, Chicago,Connecticut, New Jersey, New York,

Pennsylvaniaand SanDiego in theUS; London,UK andToronto,Canada.Ladies intheirembroideredandtraditionalmathabanoos,garas andkor nisarees,children intheir navjotefinery andspecialtopies,young andold, were allpresent tosee historyunfold andwitness thisextraordinaryevent. Asyou lookedaround theprayer

room, for a fleeting moment, you wouldhave thought that you were in an Agyari orAtash Behram. Some swayed from side toside as they prayed, others prayed from theroman script Kordeh Avesta seated, andothers just closed their eyes and wanted toabsorb the smell of sandalwood and loban.Others smiled at the fire blazing. The ladynext to me said, “I am 90 years old. I askedmy daughter, Nazneen Vimadalal to bringme from Boston. “Ajeh ketloh specialdeevas cheh.” (Today is such a specialday).” The Baj ceremony with the “darams”in the shining thali and all the traditionalsymbols were moving to witness. The firein the Afarghanyu rose even higher as if to

The Bhandara Atash Kadeh - may its fire burn for eternity

by behroze clubwala

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proclaim this special moment. The heavenswere smiling down on the Zarathushticommunity of North America. A Maachi wasperformed that evening at the prayer roomin the Zarathushti Heritage and CulturalCenter (ZHCC). The congregation lined thepath from the ZHCC to the new AtashKadeh, with battery operated tea lights intheir hands as the Ervads present tookturns in pairs to carry a small Afarghanyuholding the ash from ZHCC’s prayer roomto the new Atash Kadeh. There was not oneperson present witnessing this ceremonythat did not feel their hearts burst with joy.The day was perfect with the sun shiningabove and clear blue skies. All presentfollowed the Afarghanyu into the AtashKadeh. “Habiro Shabash Shabash” was theloud chant, as we entered the new AtashKadeh, from all the Zarathushtis from Iran, achant used by them on any happy occasion.A new era had dawned for Zarathushtis inNorth America. Onwards and forward wasthe prayer in each ones heart. May theZarathushti Kom flourish for generations tocome in North America. The sentiment ofthe moment is best reflected in the words,“Hama Zor, Hama Asho Bad”, - may we allbe united in strength and righteousness.

“Happy Nowruz” was the welcome greetingfrom ZAH Chair, Nozer Dangol at theevening dinner. “I welcome you to the dawnof a new chapter in Houston. About 40 yearsago we created ZAH, some 20 years agoZHCC and today we are proud to add theAtash Kadeh as our new spiritual center.”While thanking the entire community inHouston for lending its blessings and supportto the creation of this center, particularly thegenerous donation of the Bhandaras, hespecifically thanked Rohintan Deputy,Aderbad Tamboli, Arzi Natalia and KaiyosSidhwa for their tireless efforts anddedication. The North American CongressLegacy Scholarships and the Danesh DesaiScholarships were handed out that eveningto several children from ZAH.

Vada Dasturji (High Priest) Khurshed KDastoor, of the Pak Iranshah Atash Behramin Udvada was invited to bless and honourthe events. Addressing the audience that

evening he said, “Today is Roj Amardad,meaning perfection, a perfect day for thecommunity to launch the new BhandaraAtash Kadeh. It is important for us to createa spiritual center where we could bow ourheads in praise of Ahura Mazda and his sonZarathustra whom we revere through fire. Ibring blessings of the Iranshah to theBhandara family and this center which willhouse the first perpetual fire outside Asia.”He went on to add that “if one’s thoughtsare good, then your action and deeds willalso be successful.” He called upon futuregenerations to treat this legacy with respectand to connect to Ahura Mazda. “The placehas been created with perfection. The firewill burn and Mr and Mrs Bhandara havedone their duty. It is now your challenge torecharge yourself in this spiritual center.The fire is your friend, philosopher andguide, as we say in the Atash Niyayesh.The fire will protect you, but it is your duty toprotect the fire. Go step by step as youmove into this new era and generation.” Headded “When Zarathustra was alive, hekept what was good and reformed what wasnot good. Our duty is to keep our traditionsor we will be lost. Take the center path,think with your good mind, lead andinculcate the knowledge of our religion andpass it on to the next generation. India haseight Atash Behrams and 100s of Agyaries,some of which are difficult to maintaintoday, so cherish this Atash Kadeh andensure that the fire burns forever. Each andevery one of you is responsible to see thatthis Atash Kadeh is passed on to the nextgeneration. This fire will bring peace andharmony amongst our community. My headalways bows to the Zarathushtis who stayedin Iran and followed their religion. We areall Zarathushtis, not Parsis and Iranis.Participate fully. Do Jashans on Behram rojand special days, pray together, acommunity that prays together, staystogether. May the fire of this Atash Kadehburn forever.” There was a long silence inthe room – as the members presentcontemplated their inheritance, followed bya thunderous applause.

The evening ended with a delicious dinnerprepared by apro Naushad Mehta of

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Houston. Appetizers, Dhan Dar and ShrimpPatio with Lagan nu Custard, chai andcoffee. The dinner was generously hostedby Khushroo and Parynaz Vimadalal incelebration of their eldest son Freyaan’snavar ceremony in Mumbai in January2019.

Friday 22 March 2019 : The Vendidadprayers began at 2:00 am with sevenErvads praying uninterruptedly till 6:30 am.A small group filled the prayer room for theentire ceremony thinking, like me and myhusband Astad that such an opportunitymight not present itself soon in NorthAmerica. The spirituality of the ceremonywas surreal. As the early morningprogressed, more members joined theVendidad ceremony. Clearly, there weremany many more when chai, Malido, Ravoand Pora Bun Pau with makhan and jamcomplete was announced that earlymorning! Again, exceptional hospitality fromthe Houston community, a hallmark of themas hosts always.

The evening took us “Down Memory Lane”with an exhibit by FIRES – the FEZANAInformation, Research and EducationSystem. Aban Rustomji has worked withpassion on this project for years securingmany antiques, photographs and books thatreflect our Zarathushti culture and heritage.It is a unique collection from around theworld, permanently housed in ZHCC. Whilepreserving our heritage, Aban creates aworld of the past that is alive with reality forthe current and next generations. Thecommitment, zeal, knowledge and energythat Aban offers to this project isunparalleled. Thanks to Aban and her teamin Houston, an outstanding exhibit of acollection of old garas, embroidered kors,beaded torans, rocking chairs, an old pricelist of kastis, sudrehs, diva na kakras (wicksused to light our oil divas), sukhar(sandalwood), loban (incense), a price list ofgoodies like batasas and khatais, oldphotographs, a copy of the famed Jam-e-Jamshed newspaper, and several Persianantiques filled the room. Many wereintrigued by the kerosene stove and thelarge pressure cooker on it. To many of us,

these were nostalgic reminders of what wehave seen in our parents and grandparents’homes. The most interesting was the kustiweaving demonstration. The recentaddition includes items from late ProfessorKaikhosrov and Piroja Irani’s home in NewYork, a rare red pheta made in England forProf Irani’s father Dinshaw J Irani, a silverbowl, and Dinshawji’s briefcase with itscontents.

The evening began with a benediction bythe two youngest Ervads in Houston.

Welcoming the more than 300+ guestspresent, Aban Rustomji invited FEZANAPresident Homi Gandhi to the podium.Homi said, “Houston, we have landed. (Theaudience broke into a loud and longapplause.) In this new diaspora, the giftfrom the Bhandara family is priceless. Twocenturies ahead, the next generations willstand before your Atash Kadeh and thankyou for your vision.”

The highlight of the evening was thepresence of apri Bapsi Sidhwa, the famedstoryteller and accomplished, awardwinning novelist from Lahore, Pakistan. Iremember meeting Bapsi when shereceived the Reader’s Digest Lila WallaceWriter’s Award in the New York public libraryin 1994. She took the stage now to share“Words of Wisdom” as indicated in theprogramme. At 80, feeble but her eyestwinkling, she told us a fascinating storycaptivating the entire audience. “Today I amgoing to tell you about my little brotherFeroze Bhandara. (The audience gasped.)We were with my parents in Colaba,Bombay when my mother complained ofnausea. We thought it was perhaps the seaair in Bombay, but after a few days of thesesymptoms and wondering aloud if it wasmenopause, my relative, who was a doctor,did a thorough medical exam and told mymother she was four months pregnant. Mymother, Tehmina, was in disbelief. Iremember then being in school in Pakistanwhen the driver who picked me up monthslater informed me that I had a baby brother.I still remember seeing Feroze, (Bapsi wasthen 15 years old) and noting that he had

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such a perfect baby face with his featuresso well defined, although I am not sure thatone might say that now. He wasmischievous and disobedient as a child anda challenge for my young widowed mother.He was sent to a boarding school in Lahoreand had a difficult time, but I am sure hehas forgiven my mother now. I recall myfather talking to Feroze in Gujerati andasking him, Baba, when you grow up willyou be a doctor, lawyer or a shopkeeper likeme. Our maternal grandfather ArdeshirMama built the Mama School in Karachiand was the Mayor of Karachi. At the timeof the partition riots in Pakistan, my fatherPeshotan bought shares for the MurreeBrewery and then took over itsmanagement as the British left at the time ofindependence. Feroze went to study at theUniversity of Wisconsin, USA and onreturning with his MBA said in Gujarati tome “maharu mohnu dookkesh English boltaaakho vakhat” (my jaws hurt speaking inEnglish all the time); I want to marry a Parsigirl. I introduced Feroze to my husbandNoshir’s niece Shernaz Cowasji. Ferozehad a very difficult time navigating thatcourtship as Shernaz’s father and brotherwere very orthodox. I wonder if they evenkissed once during that courtship. (Thecrowd is in spells of laughter.) Clearly itwas a match made in heaven, as told byNazneen Khumbatta, in her recent interviewwith Feroze and Shernaz. Feroze waslucky with successful business ventures firstin San Jose, California, and then inHouston. We bless and thank you Shernazand Feroze for this beautiful Atash Kadeh.”The audience gave her a standing ovation.

The younger children of ZAH, as always,inspired and directed by their religious classteacher Veshista Kaikobad did an amazingperformance of two songs – set to popularEnglish Tunes - “Vada Dasturji thamrimeherbani, Houston veer aviya ... we thankyou.” And “as Good Zarathushtis we will doour best, with Humata, Hukata and Hvrashtrawe will respect the words of Zarathustra”.Bravo to the children. Well done.

Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor was thekeynote speaker. Addressing the audience

with humour, saying that he had brought upthe Menu to present for the evening as hewas not sure the audience would appreciatehearing from him again, he spokeeffortlessly sharing with us his wisdom on“The Zarathushti Way of Life in Today’sWorld.” His thoughts were deep, his ideassimple and sound, his philosophy drew onwhat we know, but his words were powerful.In summary he said: “Our religion issummed up neatly in three concepts ofgood thoughts, good words and gooddeeds. Can you ask yourself each daywhat is my good thought, word and deed forthe day? Ahura Mazda has given you VohuManah, the good mind. A simple way ofliving a Zarathushti life therefore would beto demonstrate humanity, show brotherhoodand practice tolerance and acceptance. Itis important for us today to agree todisagree. We cannot and should not pulleach other down. The time is right now tobe united, have a vision like our forefathersand leave legacies. Feroze and ShernazBhandara have served the community andgiven us this precious Atash Kadeh. It isnow your responsibility to cherish it andpass it to future generations. Controversiesand problems will arise, but remember, ifyou have a will, and a will to survive, youwill.” He reminded us that in creating a firefor an Agyari or Atash Behram,16 types offires are united to create the fire, so in thesame way we should strive to unite andcreate universal brotherhood. He recited theAshem Vohu, Yatha Ahu Vairyo and a partof the Hosbam prayer and their translationsand reminded us that our prayers constantlygive us the advice we need to live aZarathushti life. “Be true to yourself. It isthe easiest way to live a Zarathushti life.”He also addressed the issue of organdonation – a controversial issue among thecommunity. “The choice” he said“depended on each individual person. Forme, “I think it is our duty to donate. If wecan receive organ donations, why can wenot donate?” Concluding, he reminded usthat “Whatever is good, truthful andrighteous is Zarathushti.” Quoting theformer President of India, His ExcellencyAbdul Karam he stated, “For great menreligion is a way of making friends, small

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people make religion a fighting tool.” Thechallenge was up to us now to use ourreligion and its teachings to create a trueZarathushti life in North America.

Feroze Bhandara closed the evening byhonouring and presenting a plaque to allthose who had contributed to the makingthe Atash Kadeh a reality – Members ofZAH: Arderbad Tamboli who had workedtirelessly but always ensured good results,Rohinton Deputy who led the efforts to getthe Afarghanyus crafted, Rustom Engineer,Sarosh Contractor and many many others,the Architect – Cyrus Rivetna, the entireteam of engineers, contractors andaccountants. He also thanked Edul Daverfor his guidance from experiences with theNY Dar-e-Mehr for ZAGNY. Gratitude wasalso expressed to the 25 Ervads fromHouston, New York and London who hadprayed to bless and launch this AtashKadeh.

Rustom Engineer presented closingremarks for the evening which concludedwith a sumptuous Persian Dinner of KashkeBadamjan (eggplant dip), Koobideh, Beefand Chicken Kabobs, Rice and Herbs,Gheymeh Badamjan (split beans), nan,salad, Herbs and Feta Cheese and Jalebis.

I was able to take Feroze Bhandara awayfrom all the excitement, cameras and TVinterviewers to have a brief chat with meand my husband Astad. Feroze is quiet,deep, gentle and unassuming. His wifeShernaz, always at his side and smiling,was his “anchor.” Both were clearly thedriving force that had brought us to thishistorical moment. Through every event,they radiated simplicity, purity of thoughtand a “zen” personality. Both had put theirhearts and souls into the creation of thisamazing spiritual center but there wasnever a moment of “gloating” about the factthat they had totally funded this landmarkAtash Kadeh, the first of its kind in NorthAmerica. I asked Feroze to describe hisjourney to this day. In a soft but firm voice,introspectively contemplating he said: “Iwanted to do something worth doing. I builton the experiences I had here in Houston,

(where he had also made a generouscontribution in memory of his motherTehmina Bhandara to ZHCC) and ondifferent experiences as President of theZarathushti Anjuman in Northern California(ZANC) and the development of the Centerthere together with the Persian ZoroastrianOrganization (PZO) in 1991. In 2012, KobadZarolia, former president of the NorthAmerican Mobed Council (NAMC) andSarosh Collector of Houston approachedme saying we need to consider our secondand third generations here and have aspiritual space so they can experience thesame kind of Agyaris that we have in Indiaand Pakistan. I agreed at this point to fundthe project. It was important to us that theplace be inclusive and Sarosh suggestedthat the plan be presented to the ZAHcommunity, comprising about 250 families,with an anonymous donor. 87% of the votewas positive to build the Atash Kadeh. Welooked at several architects and newly builtcenters in Dallas, California and New York.From a ZAH Team, to several projectteams, to Nitin Desai our Engineer andCyrus Rivetna our Architect, in 1.5 years webroke ground and here we are today.”

What were some of the challenges, I asked.“Well”, he said, “there were endlessmeetings, discussions andrecommendations. Fortunately, I was ableto steer the process to completion as thedonor. I had learnt a lot from my previousexperiences and drawing from thephilanthropic endeavors of my maternalgrandparents, and my mother, wepioneered on. Our challenge is now goingforward to create the Atash KadehManagement Committee which cangenerate a structure to keep the flame alivefor the next generations, to createincentives for young dynamic Mobeds toserve here and to build a fund for themaintenance of this place, set up a feestructure for ceremonies and strategize onhow to make this Atash Kadeh serve theneeds of our young emerging Ervads andthe Zarathushti community in NorthAmerica.” The dinner that night invitedpledges and raised close to $90,000 for theAtash Kadeh Management Committee.

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Just to help you put Feroze into the contextof the man he really is ... . So genuine andcourteous, never haughty or arrogant aboutthis historical event. He was beyondgracious to meet me past midnight on22 March. As we concluded, he said, “let uswalk over to the Atash Kadeh so I can helpShernaz for tomorrow’s events.” He wastired and exhausted, but never let me feel Iwas imposing on him. Always at his side,through all the events, were his entirefamily, Shernaz, their children and theirfamilies. Stay blessed, Feroze and Shernazwith your family. The community will alwayscherish your Atash Kadeh.

I also had a chance to sit down and chatwith the architect, Cyrus Rivetna. Young,beaming with a sense of a majoraccomplishment, Cyrus recalled howZarathushtis who came early in the 60’sfocused on a place to just meet and sharecamaraderie and dhansak. He said “Prayerrooms soon were added to these culturalcenters, but having spent time in India andIran studying Agyaris, Atash Behrams andZarathushti architecture, I was influenced todesign a place that would add the ‘spiritual’dimensions. Religion for this generationneeds spirituality. “There are many aspectsthat I thought about and implemented forthis design” said Cyrus. “Three of the mostimportant were, first, the prayer hall is, asseen in Sasanian architecture and times.Second, I wanted it to be a North Americancontemporary building and third, I focusedon the details – columns as in front of manyAgyaris and Atash Behrams in India,cornices as seen in Yazd, Iran, but all thesedetails represented here are in a modernsimplified version.” Cyrus went on to saythat he wanted the building to be practical,yet have traditional elements, kusti roomsfor men and women were created, specialattention was given to a place to be seatedto remove your shoes, while at the sametime providing shoe slots for neatness, witha place to wash your hands and cleanseyourself before starting your kusti. He said “Iensured that like in most Agyaris there wasa NE-SW axis that natural light filtered in, soI added seven long windows near the

Prayer Room where ceremonies will beperformed representing the seven AmeshaSpentas. The nine skylights above theprayer room area where the congregation isseated were included. The south wall of theAfarghanyu in the Kebla had to be solid.”Cyrus clearly incorporated myriad details toensure that this first Atash Kadeh in NorthAmerica was well designed. The sandstonesculptures that greet you as you enter themain doors of the Atash Kadeh arestunning, bringing old Persian reliefs intothis spiritual space. When Cyrus took thepodium, he humorously thanked hisparents, the well know Roshan andRohinton Rivetna, icons in North America,for their unsolicited and continuous advice!

23 March 2019: The Jashan ceremony by25 Ervads was special, each one praying, itseemed, louder and louder outside the newKebla (Sanctum Santorum). Two father andson Ervads were a part of this historicceremony. The gleaming new traditionallyshaped Afarghanyu’s fire was ablaze andrising high when the first Boi ceremony inthe Kebla was performed. History waswritten. The happiness felt in the room wasunbelievable. The community felt confidentthat it will certainly light and fuel the nextsteps needed in North America for theZarathushti religion to grow and flourish.Chasni and chai were enjoyed by all.

The evening took us into the Grand GalaCelebration Dinner. 650 members werepresent, some accommodated in a tentoutside. Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor’saddress was again inspiring. Walking usthrough the various Dynasties: Pishdadian,Kayanian, Achaemenid, Parthian andSasanian he talked about the Zarathushtiscoming to India in the 7th century to Diu,near Ahmedabad, and then moving toSanjan where the Sugar in the Milkproverbial story is frequently referenced.While the Iranshah Atash had moved fromNavsari to Udvada, it has been there nowfor the last 1297 years. He referencedstalwarts from the community in India, FieldMarshal Sam Maneckshaw, the Tatas,Godrejs, Wadias, and Petits and manyothers reminding us that they had all served

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our community and that we should learnfrom them. “While India doesn’t want morechildren, they want more Parsis. The JIYOParsee Scheme had added 150 Parsichildren to our community. We must worktogether and progress together.” Hereminded us of the special support thecommunity receives in India from its PrimeMinister Narendra Modi.

The evening was graced by local authoritieswho presented a Proclamation to theBhandara family, by the Consul General ofIndia and other dignitaries from within thecommunity. A delicious feast of Indian foodsatiated every appetite that evening.

24 March 2019: The events concluded witha pious Jashan ceremony led by VadaDasturji for Avan nu Parabh, Avan roj andAvan mahino. With this Parabh we showreverence to water and the oceans. Thiswas followed by delicious Chasni, chai andDar-ni-Pori made by our own Sillie Mehta.She and her husband Jehabux made closeto 80+ dar-ni-poris for this event, a labour oflove so appreciated by the entirecommunity.

Four memorable days will eternally remainin the hearts of all who attended and putHouston on the map forever. “YathaJamiyad, Yatha Afrinami – May it be so.”

q

Behroze Clubwala, resides inHawthorne, New Jersey and is anactive member of the local ZAGNYcommunity. She retired as a HumanResources Advisor from the UnitedNations Development Programmeafter a 30+ year career with them.

A Note from Ed : An amazing description of amomentous event has been shared byBehroze, making the reader part of thecelebrations. I thank her for doing this in theshortest span of time. This article hopefullywill be part of the archives in the ZAH Library.

All images courtesy of Astad Clubwala

The Bhandara Atash Kadeh, Houston

In the moonlight, the night of the Vendidad prayers

The Inner Sanctum

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Procession from Prayer Room to Atash Kadeh

Shernaz & Feroze Bhandara cutting the ribbon

Shernaz & Feroze with Vada Dastur Khurshed Dastoor

Vada Dastur Khurshed officiating

*25 Ervads with the High Priest of Iranshah performing the Jashan

Images with * credit to Yezdi Engineer,Percy Katrak & Percy Behramsha, of ZAH

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Baj Ceremony. Right after Boi Ceremony

The Vendidad Cermony

*Our Honourable Priests

‘Down Memory Lane’- Kusti weaving. Below, Toran

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*The Bhandaras with the High Priest

Cyrus Rivetna, the Architect

*Apri Bapsi Sidhwa

*ZAH Community at the ATash Kadeh opening