'Anjuman Atash Adaran': the triple 'A' conundrum

Zoroastrianism is a religion based on the teaching of prophet Zoroaster/ Zarathustra. Founded more than ~4500 years ago, when the language of Avesta (sister to Vedic Sanskrit) was still used in form of poetic teachings called 'Gathas'.

• Address - 91, Metcalfe St, Lal Bazar, Boubazar, Kolkata - 700012.

• Founded on - 1912.

Parsis & India

In 6th century BC, the first Persian empire was established by Cyrus the great, popularizing this religion.

Parsis first arrived in India even before the birth of Christ, but they first settled here many many years later (~751-900 CE), after being uprooted by the Muslim invaders during the last days of reign of Persian king Yazdegird III (651 CE) and hiding in mountains of Khorasan (for approx. 100 years).

Coin with imprint of Yazdegird III

'Qissa-i Sanjan'

Parsis reached Gujrat at the time of king Jadav Rana. The king showed them a bowl full of milk representing the state of his kingdom and refused them accommodation.

The Dastur (Zoroastrian priest) put a pinch of sugar over the milk representing the Paris which dissolved without overflowing the bowl. Rana was impressed and allowed them stay under four conditions - no arms, Indian way of clothing for women, learning local language, no conversion of locals.

Parsis & Kolkata

~200 years ago they first settled in Calcutta. Dadabhoy Behramji Banaji in 1767 was the first Parsi to arrive in Calcutta.

The first Parsi Agiaree (temple) of Kolkata was set up in 1839 but, is now abandoned. It is now dilapidated amidst the chaos of electronic market at Ezra street.

The gods of creation

Parsi rituals have praises dedicated for all great creations like Sun, Moon, fire, water, Earth, air etc. Fire is praised in form of the holy flame eternally burning in the Fire Temples or, Agiaree or, Atashkadeh. These temples are out of reach for Non Parsis. Only during repair work if the holy fire removed from the alter, non Parsis are temporarily allowed.

As of 2019, there were 177 fire temples in the world, of which 45 were in Mumbai, 105 in the rest of India, and 27 in other countries.

The scaling of fire

There are three grades of fire according to the Parsis:

1. Atash Dadgah - the lowest grade, can be consecrated by two priests within a few hours.

2. Atash Adaran - the second highest grade, is the 'fire of fires'. It requires gathering of fires from four different groups represented by eight priests. Its consecration takes two to three weeks.

3. Atash Behram - the highest grade, is the 'fire of victory'. Its consecration involves gathering of sixteen kinds of fire and thirty two priests. The ceremony takes up to a year.

A story of three 'A's

Anjuman Atash Adaran Fire Temple is a Zoroastrian Fire Temple which was established in 1912 by Ervad Dhunjeebhoy Byramjee Mehta. It is located on the Metcalfe Street (the Bandook Gully) in Boubazar area of Kolkata.

• 'Anjuman' means agency or association,

• 'Atash' means fire and

• 'Adaran' as mentioned already dictates the grade of the fire.

These temples are classified/named according to the grade of fire housed within them.

Inside-Out: Anjuman Atash Adaran temple

The ground floor of the Temple consists of a large hall for social gathering, a century old grand father’s clock and a bras plate of Faravahar (Primary Symbol of Zoroastrianism) on the wall. Entry is allowed on this floor for all.

The first floor supposedly consists of a similar hall, a circular alter, the holy fire at the center of the hall and an opening in the roof above the fire to allow smoke to escape but prevented the rain from coming in. Only Parsis are allowed in this floor. Each door and windows are crowned with a semi–circular stained glass, depicting different aspects of Zoroastrian iconography, ranging from the holy fire to the winged disc of Faravahar.