Parsi's Fire Temple / மெட்ராஸ் நெருப்பு கோயில் and Anjuman Bagh / பார்சி அஞ்சுமான் பாக் தர்மசாலா, சென்னை, Royapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

11^th August 2018.

Zoroastrians (who worship “Fire“), the followers of the prophet Zoroaster landed in Southern Saurashtra's port Diu, from Iran fearing the religious prosecution by the Muslims, and stayed there for about 19 years. It was told that about 18000 Parsis traveled along the coast from Iran in 7 batches, of which 5 batches landed in Diu, one at Variav, near Surat, and one at Cambay in Gujarat. The Parsis persuaded King Jadi Rana to give asylum. As per the experts, the period of migration may be between the 8^th and 10^th Century.

 

PARSIS ROLE IN MADRAS

Though Parsis landed in India, about 1000 years before, as per the records the first Parsi came to Madras in 1809 from Coorg to deliver a picture on behalf of the King’s brother to the Governor of Fort St. George. Their main business was dealing with Cars, Cycles, Perfumes, dyes, running Cafes (Irani Cafes), Theatres, Bakery etc,. Madras Central Railway station was built by HH Wadia brothers, Hormusji and Manchesershaw. Both stayed in Madras for about 12 years for this construction alone. The miliolite lime stones otherwise called Porbandar Stones are brought to Kerala along the coast and from there through railway lines. Master Mason Pitambar Hira was in charge of the Construction. The Central Station was declared open in 1922 by Lady Wellington. Hormusji, the elder Wadia brother, also played the main role in bringing water to the city through Kilpauk Water Works.

PARSIS AND THE FIRE TEMPLE IN MADRAS

It was told that Mr. Hirjibhai Maneckji Kharas with five others and Two priests bought land in Royapuram opp to the Catholic Church. The Anjuman or the Zoroastrian association consists of a nine-member board that decided to build their own worship place. The Collected money from the members including Sir Dinshaw Petit of Bombay in 1896, was not sufficient to build a Temple. In 1907, Clubwala decided to gift a piece of land on West Madha Church Street in Royapuram to the Madras Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman. On 9^th February 1909 foundation stone was laid by the Civil Engineer and President of the Parsi Anjuman, Hormusji Nowroji. On 7^th August 1910, the temple was consecrated and named after Club Wala’s son, Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher. Clubwala also donated land to Anjuman to build an accommodation for the priests. During World War II, when the German ship Emden bombarded Madras, Royapuram was evacuated. But the priest Peshotan Daji (Who started as an assistant priest at the age of 12 years in 1924 and served till 1983) refused to leave the temple, to ensure the continuous burning of fire in the temple. As per the Parsi tradition, fire has to be stoked 5 times a day. The fire temple Sanctum has access and prays only to the Zoroastrian Iranis and Parsis.

The warning board admittance to Parsis and Zoroastrian Iranis Only at the entrance of the Fire temple

MARY CLUBWALA JADHAV ( 1909 - 1975) AND HER SERVICE TO MADRAS

She was born in 1908 to Rustomji, of Wellington Ooty, and married to Nogi, the son of Phiroj M Clubwala of Madras. When her son was very young, she lost her husband and her son also passed away at the age of 14. After Nogi Clubwala’s death in August 1927, Mary Clubwala built a Phiroj Clubwala Memorial hall in the name of his son & her husband and inaugurated it on 14^th August 1930. She later remarried to Maj. Chandrakanth K Jadhav is a military officer, who is also associated with social work.

She wants to spend the rest of her life in a meaningful way. She engaged herself in social service activities like the Guild of Service, running seva Samajam for boys and girls, the School for the deaf, A School for mentally challenged Children, Madras School of Social Work, etc,. 1935 she was appointed as Honorary Presidency Magistrate and held a record sitting in the Juvenile Court. She also held the first Lady Sheriff of Madras. She also held the UN correspondent for the Crime and Treatment of offenders.

 

In 1942, during World War II, she persuaded the women to organize mobile canteen, Hospital Visits, diversional therapy, helping ex-servicemen with their rehabilitation, entertainment programs, etc,. She was awarded with a Japanese Sword in appreciation and was called "Darling of the Army" by General Cariappa. She was the recipient of the highest Civilian awards  - all three "Padma Awards". She was also awarded the Duke of Edinburgh, by the British. She served and breathed last in 1975.

LOCATION OF THE FIRE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Anjuman Bagh

The inscription found on the wall of Anjuman may be in Gujarathi and the details are not known

The inscription found on the wall of Anjuman

The Parsis Cemetery

 Cemetery of Mary Clubwala Jadhav

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---