Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/load.php on line 651

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/theme.php on line 2241

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387
Veneration of Fire: A Zoroastrian place of worship. – Mumbai Blogg
Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 2448

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 2448

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387
FIRE TEMPLE
WADIAJI AATASH BAHRAM, MUMBAI
Home / ZOROASTRIAN ZEN / Veneration of Fire: A Zoroastrian place of worship.

Veneration of Fire: A Zoroastrian place of worship.

Veneration of Fire: A Zoroastrian place of worship.

                                                —–By Heritage Architect Sanaeya Vandrewala

Fire Temple —Aatash Bahram, Agiaries & Dadgahs

“O Ahura, Thy Divine Fire                                                  

FIRE TEMPLES
OPEN AIR FIRE ALTARS.
A DEPICTION.

Grown mighty through Asha, do we earnestly desire!

Swiftest of the swift, supremely powerful,

Giving clear help, at all times, to the faithful.

 But Mazda, Thy fire shall see through and annihilate,

With a turn of the hand, the evil and their hate.”

[Gatha Ahunavaiti, Yasna 34.4]

Fire in Zoroastrianism is the center for worship. It is a Zoroastrian belief that through veneration of fire one can create an intimate communion with God, who is the creator of this sacred fire. It is the third holy immortal and has a religious significance of being a symbol of righteousness. Prophet Zarathushtra mentions fire as the holiest of the elements to be worshiped as the source of heat, light, life and growth. He selected it as a symbol of his faith to symbolize the divine spark within. Fire, in Zoroastrianism therefore, is considered one of the most sacred elements of nature.

In ancient times, Zoroastrians had no fixed place of worship. It was in Achaemenian times, during the reign of Darius I (522-486 BC) that permanent altars were built as a place for worship. The earliest places of worship were probably sanctuaries founded by kings and nobles dedicated to Bahrām the Yazata for victory. Fire altars on stone platforms were built during Achaemenian (550 BC- 330 BC) and Sassanian times (224 AD -652 AD) and depicted in inscriptions, carvings and coins. Congregational ceremonies took place under an open sky, where the worshipers gathered. The most sacred fires were placed in secluded areas.

FIRE TEMPLE
ANCIENT HIGH PRIEST PRAYING IN ENCLOSED FIRE TEMPLE.

The western world has wrongly interpreted Zoroastrianism to be a fire-worshiping cult. The concept of the element of nature was confused, by the general population, with that of the spirit that resides within it. Fire occupies an important place amongst the elements in the religious system of Zoroastrianism. Such veneration should not be misunderstood as deity worship, as the religion is monotheistic in its belief and similar homage is paid to the other elements of nature.

There are three grades of consecrated fire in India, based on the level of the consecration of the fire enthroned in the sanctum sanctorum.

FIRE TEMPLE
ANJUMAN AATASH BAHRAM, MUMBAI
FIRE TEMPLE
BANAJI AATASH BAHRAM, MUMBAI

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Aatash Bahrām (Top-most grade of Fire-Temple) :

An Aatash Bahrām is the highest grade of fire with the highest level of consecration. It is consecrated through elaborate purification ceremonies performed by Mobeds (priests). Fire from sixteen different sources are collected, purified and used after 14,000 hours of prayer ceremonies. This fire is then enthroned in the sanctum sanctorum of the Aatash Bahrām. The entire process is well spanned over a period of 18 months. Hence the Aatash Bahrām fire is no ordinary fire, but the one kindled into existence through the performance of extraordinary series of complex rituals.

Sr.no Kinds of fire No of times for the basic collection, purification and consecration process
1 Fire of a burning corpse 91
2 Fire of a dyer 80
3 Fire of a king or ruling authority 70
4 Fire of a potter 61
5 Fire of a brick maker 75
6 Fire of an ascetic 50
7 Fire of a goldsmith or alchemist 60
8 Fire of a mint 55
9 Fire of an ironsmith 61
10 Fire of a maker of armors 61
11 Fire of a baker 61
12 Fire of a brewer 61
13 Fire of a soldier or traveler 35
14 Fire of a shepherd 33
15 Fire atmospheric electricity(lightning) 90
16 Fire of a Zoroastrian (a fire kindled through friction by a Dastur and Mobed one each and these are then  mixed with a Behdin (non priest) 184
1128 times

Above Table Source: Dr. Sir J.J Modi, The religious ceremonies and customs of Parsees

The existing Aatash Bahrams in India:

  1. Iranshah established in Sanjan in 855 AD and then finally moved to Udvada in 1742 AD, where it has stood since then;
  2. Anjuman Atash Bahram in Navsari (1765 AD )
  3. Dadyseth Atash Bahram in Mumbai (1783 AD )
  4. Modi Atash Bahram in Surat (1823 AD)
  5. Vakil Atash Bahram in Surat (1823 AD)
  6. Wadia Atash Bahram in Mumbai (1830 AD)
  7. Banaji Atash Bahram in Mumbai (1845 AD)
  8. Anjuman Atash Bahram in Mumbai (1897 AD)

 

  1. Atash Adaran (The next grade of Fire-Temple):

The fire in an Atash Adaran is consecrated with fewer rituals and is peculiar to the Parsi Zoroastrians. Such fires are installed in Agiaries (Sanskrit for ‘House of Fire’). This fire must be kept perpetually burning and is therefore tended by a priest at Boi ceremonies five times a day. There are hundreds of such Adarans in India with the maximum number in Mumbai. The oldest is in Navsari, installed in 1150 AD. There are no Atash Adaran fires anywhere else in the world.

  1. Atash Dadgah (the third grade of Fire -Temple):

This is the third grade of fire. Its consecration is simpler as compared to the first two. This fire temple is often called a Dar-e-Meher. The Atash-e-Dadgah can be touched by both a priest and a layman but not a non-Zoroastrian.

 

The Architecture of Fire temples in India

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, seven Atash Bahrams and hundreds of Adarans and Dadgahs were built in India reflecting the prosperity of the Zoroastrian populace. All temples are based on the triadic principle. Hence the entry from an outer portico would have a corridor adjacent which is used for basic rituals and kusti prayers before entering the assembly hall and inner prayer hall. The passage adjacent to the portico acts as transitional space between the outside and the prayer hall to preserve the sanctity of hall.

FIRE TEMPLE

The inner chamber, where the sacred fire is installed, is a square room surrounded on three sides by the prayer hall. The southern side is a dead wall, to ensure the devotees do not face the north during prayers. This is done based on the religious belief that the ‘evil’ resides in the north, hence the architectural proscription. Niches are built into the walls for ritual purity. The other three sides of the inner chamber have openings to facilitate the view of the sacred fire during prayer ceremonies, once, inside the fire temple, the prescribed Zoroastrian mandate to face east when praying is prescribed; one must face the consecrated fire when praying. The inner chamber or sanctum sanctorum has only one door for entry and exit.

 

The floor is generally covered with hard basalt stone, demarcated by three sets of furrows, known as ‘Pavis’ in Gujarati. The sacred fire is placed within the innermost area marked by furrows. Generally, the sanctuary is domed, with flues cut into it to facilitate the exit of smoke generated by the fire. In most of the cases the dome is a false ceiling to the pitched roof that is supported by the masonry.

Every fire temple must have within its complex, an open well that is fed by freshwater springs and should include a pomegranate tree and a date tree. The leaves of these trees are used during rituals performed during various religious ceremonies. The fire temple complex also has a place of residence for priests who serve the fire (‘Boiwalas’).

With the decline in population, the question of the continued use and maintenance of these places of worship has arisen. With no population to tend to or serve in certain areas, the community is faced with the challenge of the future existence of these structures.

References:

Godrej, P and Mistree, P (Ed) (2002) A Zoroastrian Tapestry: Art, Religion and Culture. Ahemdabad: Mapping publishing Pvt Ltd.

Masani (2001, 86) Masani,R (2001)The religion of the good life Zoroastrianism. London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd.

Mistree,K (1982) Zoroastrianism : An ethnic perspective. Bombay: Khojeste P. Mistree

Motafram, R (1984) Zoroastrianism Vol III: Light on Zoroastrianism. Mumbai: The trustees of the Parsi Punchayat funds and properties, Bombay.

Rivetna,R (Ed) (2002) The legacy of Zarathrushtra:An introduction to religion , history and culture of the Zoroastrians. Illinois: Federation of Zoroastrian association of North America

 

About DCooper


Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Check Also


Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387
fire temple installation of Aatash behram

Installing Fire in a Zoroastrian Place of Worship

Installing the ‘Aatash Behram’ in the Sanctum Sanctorum of a Fire Temple. Installing the fire …


Notice: compact(): Undefined variable: limits in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 853

Notice: compact(): Undefined variable: groupby in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 853

Notice: compact(): Undefined variable: limits in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 853

Notice: compact(): Undefined variable: groupby in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 853

Notice: compact(): Undefined variable: limits in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 853

Notice: compact(): Undefined variable: groupby in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 853

7 comments


    Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

  1. Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

    Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387
    Jayprakash U.Mehta Navsari

    Different type of fire temples , particularly AtashBehram , and 16 different fires found informative .The pictures of Mumbai Wadiaji AtashBehram is very good .About 250 years old fire temple has been preserved as it should have been ..
    Hats off to the noblest community of the universe .


    • Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

      Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

      Thank you, Jayprakash.

      regards,
      Derineh.


  2. Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

    Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

    In present-day Zoroastrian tradition, the offering is never made directly, but placed in the care of the celebrant priest who, wearing a cloth mask over the nostrils and mouth to prevent pollution from the breath, will then – using a pair of silver tongs – place the offering in the fire. The priest will use a special ladle to proffer the holy ash to the layperson, who in turn daubs it on his or her forehead and eyelids, and may take some home for use after a Kushti ceremony.


  3. Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

    Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

    Thanks for all of your labor on this web page. Ellie takes pleasure in managing research and it’s really obvious why. All of us notice all of the lively method you deliver precious things by means of the web blog and even welcome response from some others on that issue while our favorite child is now being taught so much. Take advantage of the remaining portion of the year. You have been doing a very good job.


  4. Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

    Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

    Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely great. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous site.


  5. Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

    Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

    Keep functioning ,impressive job!


    Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387
  1. Pingback: Collection Of Kindling To Make The Fire called The ‘Aatash Behram’. - Mumbai Blogg

Transate...

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home2/worldhme/public_html/mumbaiblogg.com/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4387