Parsis in India and the Diaspora

26 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet

Edited by John Hinnells, Alan Williams

 The Parsis are India’s smallest minority community, yet they have exercised a huge influence on the country. As pioneers in education in nineteenth century India, and as leading figures in banking and commerce, medicine, law and journalism, they were at the forefront of India’s industrial revolution. Parsis were also at the heart of the creation of the Indian National Congress in the nineteenth century and contributed some of the great leaders through into the twentieth century.

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Contemporary Parsi Life: Photographs by Sue Darlow

26 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet

The present exhibition is but a small glimpse at the long term personal project I have undertaken to document the Parsis. Choosing a mere thirty six images was a difficult task.

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The Parsis of India: Preservation of Identity in Bombay City

26 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet
 By Jesse S. Palsetia – The focus of this work is to examine and account for the ways in which the Parsis have historically sought to safeguard and preserve their identity in India.
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Zoroastrians and Parsis in Science Fiction

26 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet

This annotated bibliography list, a subset derived from the Adherents.com Religion in Literature database, is intended as a resource for literary research. It lists mainstream science fiction and fantasy novels, short stories and movies (speculative fiction) which contain references to Zoroastrianism. These include references to Parsis and to Zarathustra/Zoroaster. This list is not comprehensive, but it does list all Hugo- and Nebula-winning novels with Zoroastrian references.

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Famous, Influential Parsis – Zoroastrians

26 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet
Posted in Notable Zoroastrians. 6 Comments »

Parsis – The Zoroastrians of India – Sooni Taraporevala

26 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet

The contribution of this dynamic Indian community in all spheres of Indian life – arts, sciences, politics, business, and foremost of all – in social commitment and philanthropy – has been phenomenal. Despite their meagre numbers, the Parsi community did not seek any special privileges under the Constitution, and yet played a large role in the development of the country. Jamsetji Tata, JRD Tata, Godrejs, Wadias, Dr. Homi Bhabha, Zubin Mehta, Retd. Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw, Admiral Jal Cursetji, Air Marshal Engineer, are all from this very distinguished community. Indira Gandhi married into the community and so did Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s daughter, Dina Wadia.

Parsis – The Zoroastrians of India

The story of the Ancestors

Arrival in India and the beginnings of a new life

The Early Entrepreneurs of Bombay

Pioneers of Modern India

Eminent Parsis of India

What is Zoroastrianism?

Who was Zarathustra?

Rituals, Customs & Manners

Posted in Avesta and Studies, History, Religion, Rituals and practices. Leave a Comment »

Hindu Customs in the Parsi Community in India

25 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet

The Zoroastrian religion and the Parsi Community have many common with the inhabitants of India and much of this similarity is due to the fact that deep in the past, the ancestors of these two peoples sprang from a common Indo-Aryan stock. But this apart the stay of the Parsis in India for many centuries has led to their adopting many Indian customs and attitude s . Their language is Gujarati, the traditional dress of the womenfolk is the Indian saree. During their baptism ceremony (Navjyot) they apply red ochre powder on their foreheads as the Hindu custom of tilaka.

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Zoroastrian News

24 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet

Gathering news, all around the world, from Zoroastrians, for Zoroastrians

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Zoroastrianism – A faith leading to prosperity and peace

24 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet

By : Dr. Ravindra Kumar [Post Image]“Only one Ahura Mazda there is. He is Lord of life and knowledge…He is Supreme and is, epitome of ultimate peace. He is one and only one. Consciousness, Truth, Justice, Reality, Love and Compassion emerge only as per His being. Man should worship Him and may peace be unto man.”

Courtesy : Dilnawaz Irani

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ZOROASTRIANISM IN INDIA

24 January, 2008 — zoroastriansnet

Parsism or Zoroastrianism is about 2600 years old and finds its origin in Persia. The religion was founded by Spenta Zarathustra or Zoroaster, who is considered as the Prophet of the Parsis. Zoroastrian practice is based on the responsibility of every man and woman to choose between good and evil, and to respect God’s creations. Prophet Zarathustra, who lived in Iran in 6000 BC, expounded a dualistic philosophy, based on the opposing powers of the good and the evil. Zarathustra preached the oneness of god and believed that Ahura Mazda was the one and only god, who is formless and has six great aspects called the Amesha-Spentas. These are Ardibehest, Bahman, Shahrivar, Spendarmad, Khordad and Amardad. The mortals can worship Him in one of these forms. The Parsis believe that the Ahura Mazda is eternally in conflict with Angra Mainyu or Ahirman, who represents the evil force. Man has a free will to align himself to good or evil. Soul is immortal and upon death, the good go to Heaven and evil fall into Hell. The Parsis believe in the coming of the Saoshyant (Saviour) to the earth to defeat evil and further righteousness (Ashoi). They belief that when the Saoshyant comes, the final spiritual battle between the forces of good and evil will commence, resulting in the utter destruction of evil. Ristakhiz, the resurrection of the dead will take place – the dead will rise, by the Will of Ahura Mazda. The Final Judgement of all souls will commence, at the hands of Ahura Mazda the Judge (Davar) and all sinners punished, then forgiven, and humanity made immortal and free from hunger, thirst, poverty, old age, disease and death.

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