Burning Bright:The flame has never been extinguished at the Royapuram fire temple.

CHENNAI: The Parsi community here is celebrating the centenary of the fire temple at Royapuram here where the flame has never been extinguished.

When Master Jal, the young son of philanthropist Phiroj M. Clubwala died, the grieving family decided to get a fire temple constructed in his memory in 1909. Designed by Hormusji Nowroji, a civil engineer, it was consecrated on August 7, 1910, says Zarin C. Mistry, honorary secretary of the Madras Parsi Association.

The first Parsis had come a century earlier in 1809 from Coorg when the ruling King’s brother sent a deputation to the Governor of Fort St. George to deliver a picture.

Mr. Hirijibhai Maneckji Kharas was the first Parsi to land in the city. He was accompanied by five other Parsis and two priests who bought land at Royapuram opposite the Catholic Church, says Ms. Mistry, a chronicler of the community in the city.

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In his inaugural address, Dr Kalam said he was delighted to participate in the 100th anniversary of the Fire Temple and then went on to speak about the “unique trait of Parsi community, that reflects of entrepreneurship, courage and service to humanity that is envisaged in the thought “What can I give?” “What can I give”. In his address, Kalam spoke about the unique quality of the Parsis – that of courage and urged them to continue to tread the same path.

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Courtesy : Jehangir Bisney