Category Archives: Doongerwadi Process

Performance of the First Year Necessary Death Ceremonies

The Association for Performance of the First Year Necessary Death Ceremonies of the Parsi Zoroastrians. E. Mithaiwala Agairy Compound, Jehangir Daji Cross Lane, Slater Road, Grant Road (W), Mumbai 400007. Registration No. F-80 (Bom)   A Society by the name of The Association For Performance Of The First Year Necessary Death Ceremonies Of The Parsi Zoroastrians was founded in the

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Urban Legend: Parsi pangs of change – when the sun delivers the soul

It’s a ceremony that few get to see men and women dressed in long white robes singing the song of silence in a temple.  The Parsi Tower of Silence near Hebbal Flyover where the community conducts the last rites of its dead Few outside the Parsi community in the city would have noticed it. But just as a 950-year-old Tower

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Parsis turn to cremations as vultures disappear from skies

Mumbai:  Kaikobad Rustomfram always thought that when he died vultures would feast on his body, as is Zoroastrian tradition. But then the scavenging birds disappeared from India’s skies. The 90-year-old was cremated last month instead of receiving a sky burial, one of a growing number of Parsis opting to use a new prayer hall in Mumbai that is changing the

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Prayers for the dear departed

Many times, in remote places, Mobeds are not available for prayers for the dear departed. In such cases, the family members should not be deprived of having obsequies performed for the deceased. Prayer Hall, Worli, has come out with audio files, which have the prayers for all the ceremonies, with a 10 second gap, for putting in the name of

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Khandias : The Keepers of Doongerwadi

Khandias: The Keepers of Doongerwadi Khandias are the people who tend to the Parsi community’s deceased. Open listens to their stories Khandias in their quarters in Doongerwadi, Mumbai (Photo: RITESH UTTAMCHANDANI) Among Parsis, Khandias are a group of people spoken about only in hushed tones. It is their job to bathe and carry the deceased of the community to the

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Towers of Silence (official trailer)

Towers of Silence (official trailer) or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMXvsg1bN-s Published on Oct 19, 2014 ‘The Towers of Silence’ explores the fundamental question faced by every small community, namely how to preserve one’s traditions in a rapidly changing and modernizing world. The film focuses on the story of the ten-year-old Dinshah Magol and the decision he has to take between following his fate

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Gifts to Khandhias, Nassesalara & Caretakers of Dokhmas

Hello All, Am sharing this…… Please approach your Local Anjuman / Panchayat and ask them to send the said details to the person as mentioned in the notice. For the sake of these people take out a little time and do the needful.   Courtesy: Fozya India. Courtesy : Daisy

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Requiem for a Bird

This short documentary will be a synthesis of traditional documentary interviews with animation and choreographed dance. It will illuminate the  private  and public  lives of  the  Parsi through their spiritual relationship to the vultures. We will journey through Mumbai and its outer regions, meeting members of the Parsi community, listening to their hopes and fears for the future. and learning

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Prayer Hall Trust

Dear Friends & well wishers,   Please see attachment which is to appraise and inform all Zoroastrians residing overseas of a community related development underway at Mumbai. This is for your information. Those who wish to extend support are most welcome to do so. Seasons greetings and best wishes,   Dinshaw K. Tamboly Click Here to see the full message

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British Designer to design an aviary for the Doongerwadi

Out of the Box Shiny Varghese : New Delhi, Sun May 12 2013, 02:08 hrs   British designer Thomas Heatherwick on his new project in India and why design is not about toeing the brief.   ………..  His new project is in India — Heatherwick has been invited to design an aviary for the Doongerwadi Tower of Silence in Malabar Hills,

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