Afamily heirloom that has been safely preserved for nearly 200 years. A Lord Swaminarayan turban that is kept for darshan in Surat on the day of Bhai Dooj festivities to this day and a Parsi family guards this priceless possession since they received it in 1881.

It has been said that Swaminarayan Bhagwan, who came to Surat in 1881, presented his turban and shriphal to the Parsi Kotwal Ardeshar and this turban continues to be a guiding force for the Parsi family for 194 years now.

The family strongly believe that God’s ‘head’ is with them and lovingly shares this gift with everyone on the eve of the Bhai Dooj festival.

Apart from it being a family heirloom, the turban holds religious value. It is believed that when Lord Swaminarayan came to Surat 194 years ago, he presented this turban to Ardesar, who was working as the Kotwal of Surat. It is also said that when Swaminarayan Bhagwan was returning from in Surat, he was so pleased by the service of Ardeshar Kotwal that he presented him with his own turban on the day of Magshar Sud Trij.