The Udvada Atash Behram, also known as the Iran Shah, “King of Iran”, is a temple in Udvada, Gujarat on the west coast of India. It is one of the eight fire temples of the Zoroastrian religion in the country.
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Category: Travel
Davier Parsi Dharamshala
Visit for a quick getaway with family and friends at just 3 hours drive from Mumbai…
Newly renovated with AC in rooms… spacious, airy, neat and clean…
All rooms with attached western toilets and bathrooms with modern fittings…
Set amongst serene surroundings in the Agiary compound… Near the sea shore…
Delicious and fresh Veg & Non-Veg food prepared and served by Manager Mr. Kersi Amrolia (Ex-Manager of JJ Dharamshala, Khandala)…
Non-AC Rooms:
Double Occupancy- Rs. 400/-.
Triple Occupancy- Rs. 600/-.
A/C Rooms:
Double Occupancy- Rs. 1000/-.
Triple Occupancy- Rs. 1400/-.
Meals:
Breakfast – Rs. 80/- per person
Lunch / Dinner – Rs. 220/- person.
For Booking please contact Mr. Pervez Wadia on 09898255851
Pictures of the newly renovated Davier Dharamshala attached below..
Applications Open For 2018 Zoroastrian Return To Roots Program
The Zoroastrian Return to Roots Program is pleased to announce the opening of applications for Return to Roots 5 Trip scheduled to take place from 19th December, 2018 to 2nd January 2019. This will be the fifth tour after the first four very successful tours in 2013-14, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The aim of Zoroastrian Return to Roots is to bring together young Zoroastrians from across the world between the ages of 22-35; to return to their roots, reconnect with their culture, and revive the community. Participants (‘Fellows’) will explore various significant Zoroastrian historical, religious, cultural, and archaeological sites in India over a trip of 15 days.
The itinerary will take participants to Mumbai, Gujarat and Pune.
https://zororoots.org/applications-open-for-2018-zoroastrian-return-to-roots-program/
Anahita Irani – Sweet Annu
Hi There, My name is Anahita Irani, I am the author at Sweetannu.com. A pre school teacher, social media influencer, lifestyle & food blogger. Added hobbies are travel, movies and fashion, going for events, socializing, networking and making new friends. Check out her interesting blog at https://sweetannu.com
Food : Authentic Bhakra Recipe – Click Here
I can proudly proclaim to be married into a bhakra loving family as l clearly remember my mother-in-law making bhakras in her Dahanu home every Sunday, cooling them and packing them in a big stainless steel box for her son. It was a ritual every Sunday evening, once all the other household work was done it was time to make Bhakras. A big thali was taken and all the ingredients were mixed with a heavy hand. My mother-in-law would instruct the maid to knead with a heavy hand and add according to the recipe in her head. She never used measured proportions yet the bhakras turned out delicious every time.
Travel : Visit Deolali – Click Here
The Bhadhurji Sanatorium
Just opposite the Netarwalla Sanitorium and Agyari compound is the Dr.K.N. Bahadurji Memorial Sanatorium. The Sanatorium was inaugurated on 15th August 1902 and is specifically for Parsi/Irani community. It is spread over 12.5 acres of land, such a picturesque and sprawling property, once I enter I feel like Alice in Wonderland.
And Much More in Fashion, Lifestyle, Education……
Sanjan Sanatorium
The newly renovated Sanjan Sanatorium managed by WZOTF is now open.
Make a reservation today for a weekend getaway with your family or a day trip with friends to enjoy the amazing food.
Please spread the word.
See you there!
LONDON TO MUMBAI – Drives Of A Lifetime
The journey started in London @ kilometer 147,524 and ended at the Gateway of India, Mumbai @ kilometer 168,981- a distance of 21,457 km. We stayed at 44 different locations over 51 days of the Drive, consuming a total of 2,503 litres of diesel and spending the approximate equivalent of Rs. 19,000/- on tolls. Only one issue with the car – Other than the radiator problem in Siberia, NO significant problems. Will need to replace one headlamp bulb which has blown a low beam filament and fix the cup holder that has jammed. Other than this, a wash and service, change of lubricants, torquing the suspension and the car feels ready to set off across the world right away. Time to start dreaming of the next Drive I guess…
Byram Dhalla, Saroosh Dinshaw and others!
Delhi Parsi Dharamshala
The Delhi Parsi Dharamshala is centrally located and offers comfortable and affordable accommodation in Delhi. Situated at Delhi Gate Metro Station, close to both the main railway stations, Connaught Place, Supreme Court, High Court and Pragati Maidan, it offers airy and spacious rooms that give you home-style comfort, equipped with modern amenities.
We also offer special attractive rates for large groups for weddings and other functions, long stay for students and working professionals.
Contact Us
roomsdpa@gmail.com
Delhi Gate Metro Station, Gate No 1,
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi – 110002
Takht-e Soleyman: Harmonious sanctuary inspired by natural context
TEHRAN – Overlooking a lake with a backdrop of a snowcapped mountain range in northwest Iran, lies the UNESCO-registered Takht-e Soleyman (“Solomon’s Throne”), an archeological and touristic site that bears testimony to various eras of the nation’s history.
Situated in the southeastern highlands of West Azarbaijan province, the property encompasses a lake roughly 80 by 120 meters and a Sassanid-era Zoroastrian temple complex dedicated to Anahita, an ancient goddess of fertility, parts of which were rebuilt in the 13th century during the Ilkhanid era.
The ensemble was established in a geologically anomalous location as the base of the temple complex sits on an oval mound roughly 350 by 550 meters.
Inspired by natural context, the rich harmonious composition draws local and foreign travelers who want even for minuets revel in its peaceful atmosphere.
According to Britannica Encyclopedia, its surrounding landscape was probably first inhabited sometime in the 1st millennium BC. Some construction on the mound itself dates from the early Achaemenian dynasty (559–330 BC), and there are traces of settlement activity from the Parthian period.
Under tourists’ eyes
In what follows, a select of comments that foreign visitors have already posted to TripAdvisor, a fairly popular travel website, has been given:
‘Off the beaten track but worth it as long as the weather holds!’
Very few Western tourists venture this far but this Zoroastrian fire temple sits in an amazing landscape. The few buildings that are left are ruins, but the site is surrounded by an ancient wall and has amazing backdrops of snowcapped mountains.
The weather is very changeable so wrap up warm when the sun goes in. (rdella from UK; reviewed May 24, 2017)
‘Beautiful site’
The place and its history are impressive and beautiful. A map of the area with English explanations is available. Entrance fee 200.000 Rials for foreign tourists. (StefanBaW235 from Germany; reviewed April 16, 2017)
‘a UNESCO site not to be missed’
What an incredible historic site. Sassanids warriors and kings, Zoroastrian fire and Anahita water goddess worshipers all co-existed here. Even when the Mongols appeared they did not destroy it, but appreciated its deep Crater Lake, and volcanoes around.
It is amazing that it is so well preserved after so long… (Miriahm D. from Colorado, the U.S.; visited May 2016)
‘This is amazing’
The site is on a volcanic vent combined with artesian well. It was covered in silt from various discharges over the centuries until early last century. The pool of water is very deep and fissures, the source of the water, go even deeper. The high mineral content helps fertilize the surrounding orchards. Intriguingly, the site was important for the Persians and then also the later Ilkhanid Mongol invaders, who modified it. The on-site guide was excellent and brought it all to life (including the 12 fortresses which surround it). This is a compelling visit, especially when you consider the full context. (PeterC489 form London; reviewed September 9, 2015)
PHOTO: A general view of Takht-e Soleyman, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its rugged landscape in northwest Iran.
A Summer’s Day at Udvada
My need to voraciously absorb all odd bits of information was the reason why I used to be good at General Knowledge in school. Parents obviously approved and hence every Sunday night at 9.00 I was allowed to sit through Siddharth Kak-Renuka Shahane hosted Surabhi—a true blue infotainment programme which will strongly be embedded in any ’90s kid. It was here that I had first heard of Navsari and Udvada, the first ports of call for Zorastrians and Parsis into the subcontinent.
Ten years in Mumbai was enough to make my resolve strong to visit Udvada made it a bucket list entry. The plan was put in motion some time last year, but it wasn’t until April this year that the road trip materialised and the calendars of our motley crew of four finally synced and off we went.
I always thought I grew up in a sleepy little town, but Udvada is smaller and sleepier still. As a matter of fact, for most parts it is still just a village but generously sprinkled with mansions and bungalows built by Parsis, thanks to their expedient enterprises. What drew them then and draws them even now is the Iran Shah, a fire temple with oldest continuous fire in the world. Parsi rigidity about their religion forbade us to step inside, we, very happily, made peace with the quaintness.
The highlight, of course, was the food and as luck would have it, it was Bengali New Year and a mighty meal was only fair. Let me be clear, we did not go pillar to post trying out all the famed eateries trying out Parsi fare; we stuck to one place, for both the meals—Cafe Farohar at Sohrabji Jamshedji Sodawaterwalla Dharamshala. We were there only for the day and wanted to go exploring as well.
Parsi food has been on my mind ever since my first taste of Parsi Akoori at Kyani & Co in Kalbadevi. It has been a personal mission to savour as much as possible of the cuisine. Many of these experiences were simply fortuitous, like when I was invited to Anjuman I Islam’s hotel management college to attend a Parsi wedding-themed F&B promotion hosted by their students. The meal was as lavish and as-original-it-could-get and involved my first taste of Patrani Macchi and Lagan Nu Custard. Then there was a wine pairing exercise with Perzen Patel’s The Bawi Bride, which was the beginning of my love affair with Talera Boomla.
Cafe Farohar will be another indelible memory in my annals of Parsi food. Amongst the four of us, the table was full with food. Everything from Chicken Farcha to Boi Fry was ordered and washed down by local Sunta Raspberry Soda. As we devoured our Mutton Pulao Dar and Prawn Dhandar Patio we mourned that we couldn’t order more. Instinctively and unanimously, it was decided that we were coming back here for dinner. Our luck also favoured us as a local sancha ice-cream seller in his rickety autorickshaw dropped by, serving the most amazing hand-churned mango ice cream.
As a hardcore pescatarian, it was the Boi Fry that stole my heart. Indian White Mullet, locally called Boi, fresh from the shores, was lathered in Parsi masala mix, the secret to which omni-present Auntie Hilla wouldn’t part with (she and her son, Shehzad, run the cafe and manage the Dharamshala), and the delicate meat cooked to flaky perfection. Finishing that fish, head to tail, was the most satisfying part of the meal!
As we roamed around the little lanes of Udvada, we came across an old lady selling fresh Parsi chai masala—peppermint, mint, lemongrass and lemon. I picked up a bundle of peppermint; using it in tea seemed far-fetched so I made a batch of peppermint bitters, now my Udvada memory will last while longer. Next stop was Irani Bakery, selling freshly baked Mawa Cakes, desi version of macaroons and coconut biscuits, a batch of these were also picked up.
The gallivanting came to an end with the sunset. We parked ourselves on a parapet to watch the big red ball of fire sink into the Arabian Sea. We would’ve continued sitting there, extrapolating the deeper meaning of life, if our stomachs hadn’t ever so slightly grumbled. That sign was more than enough for us to look forward to the dinner. Frankly, dinner was on the back of my mind ever since lunch got over. Typical!
Dinner was supposed to be light since we were driving back. It involved was croquettes and shrimps and mutton and chicken and custard, that’s all. This is one of those times I realised there is safety in numbers when you want to try out so much, but there is only so much space in that stomach. Generously divided in four people, both meals led to happy tummies.
The drive back was a discussion about the amazing food splattered by our observations on Udvada, its quaintness and its people. A good day trip indeed.
https://edibleindulgence.wordpress.com/2017/08/03/a-summers-day-at-udvada/
Iran’s Yazd City Inscribed on World Heritage List
The historical city of Yazd in central Iran has become the country’s 22nd world heritage site after the World Heritage Committee voted in favor of its inscription on Sunday during the committee’s 41st session in Krakow, Poland.
Almost 200 hectares of the city’s 2,270-hectare historical texture now boast world heritage status.
Yazd is now the only UNESCO-listed Iranian city where people still live. It is also believed to be the world’s largest inhabited adobe city.
Registering the site on the coveted list was a tougher task than Iranian officials had hoped. The ancient city’s dossier was supposed to be considered for inscription last year but was deemed incomplete by UNESCO’s assessors who gave Iran a long list of shortcomings that had to be redressed to improve the city’s chances of inscription on the coveted list.
Cultural heritage authorities have envisioned a buffer zone of around 665.93 hectares for the designated area.
Yazd is home to UNESCO-listed ancient Persian qanats as well as Dolat Abad Garden, which is one of nine Iranian gardens inscribed collectively on the World Heritage List as “the Persian Gardens”.
The city is known for its adobe architecture, Zoroastrian fire temples and tall structures known as badgirs, or wind-catchers, which in ancient times functioned as natural ventilation in large buildings.
With 22 world heritage sites, Iran is ranked first in the Middle East and eleventh worldwide.
https://financialtribune.com/articles/travel/67964/irans-yazd-city-inscribed-on-world-heritage-list
