The "oldest and yet presently least patronized” fire temple in Poona, the Sardar Seth Sorabji Ratanji Patel Dar-e-meher, popularly known as Gaam ni Agiary (village fire temple) celebrated its 180th anniversary on May 2, 2023 with a maachi and a jashan led by their panthaky-manager Ervad Arzaan Khambatta and 14 other mobeds, community member Homi Mehta informed Parsiana. Agiary trustee Jehangir Vakil told Parsiana that it is the location of the agiary that deters regular worshippers. "On some days there are no worshippers and sometimes on special days the number goes to 30,” said the trustee. The fire temple was restored when it celebrated its 174th salgirah (see "The preservation of Patel Agiary,” Parsiana, May 7, 2017). Vakil stated that the terraces have developed leaks that need to be addressed. The trustees are working with some wealthy and philanthropic minded community members to assist.
Jashan in progress (above) and worshippers (above r) at Poona’s Gaam ni Agiary
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