"We will not be getting a new mobed for our (180-year-old Vicajee Meherjee) Dare Meher… as it is so difficult to meet the priests’ (financial) demands… We will continue with the behdin pasban that we have (Vishtashp Munshi),” stated Zubin Amaria, honorary secretary of the Solapur Parsi Anjuman (SPA), speaking to Parsiana on September 16, 2024. The Anjuman is currently considering "downgrading” the status of the fire temple to a dadgah, Amaria stated. Munshi offers boi three times a day.
Ervad Jal Dhabhar
Vicajee Meherjee Dare Meher Photo Farzan Mazda
Their lone priest, Ervad Jal Dhabhar passed away on September 11 due to multiple health problems after having been hospitalized in an intensive care unit for a month-and-a-half. SPA vice president Samannaz Irani stated, "We had to send for mobeds from Poona to perform the four-day funeral ceremonies. The remaining (ceremonies) will be conducted by them in Poona’s Kadmi and Shahenshahi Anjuman Dar-e-Meher (Komra ni Agiary).” Their tower of silence has not been used for "20-22 years,” stated Amaria.
Dhabhar (79) was single, with no close relatives, his family having served the fire temple for three generations. Believing in simple living, the priest, "out of his love and passion,” spent a portion of his income on repairs and maintenance of the agiary and the dakhma, Amaria noted. His medical expenses were partially met by the Anjuman for many years, he added.
Fifty-five community members live in Sholapur, an approximately five- hour drive from Poona. "Thirty are over 70,” stated Amaria. Members get together on Parsi New Year, Khordad Sal, annual general meetings of the Anjuman and on gahanbars. Besides Amaria and Irani, the office bearers are president Farhiz Darukhanawalla, treasurer Monaz Pithawala, joint secretary Munshi, and committee members Behram Irani and Gulshan Darukhanawalla.
The fire temple celebrated its 175th anniversary five years ago (see "Sholapur celebrates,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, August 7-20, 2019).