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Glimpses of World Religions
house, Ātas at the king's palace, Ātas of the General commanders, that of a goldsmith, of a blacksmith, of a potter, of a woodcutter and fire of electricity – all such make a total of 16 Ātases and having collected them for one long year, they are sanctified or made holy by performing long and subtle religious rites. The Fire, thus sanctified, is preserved in non-stop unpartitioned form in the temple. The priest-like persons known as Mobedos who might have come through successfully from hardest physical and mental or psychological tests, keep a continual watch over them. The number of such Ātas Behram that exists in India, comes to only 8. Of these, one which is the holiest, greatest and historical is at Udwādā. It is known as 'Iranshah'. Amongst the Parsis of India, the word 'Agiyari' is very much in vogue for Ātash Behrām. The etymological root of that, in Sanskrit, is ‘Agni Āgār' or 'the residence of Fire'. The Zoroastrian religion is simple, straightforward and practical. There are no stories of inconceivable or impossible ideals. It believes in mercy, love and non-violence. There must be some place of honour for justice in the practical dealings of the world. Such is its message. Jarthust religion believes strongly in the adage “just as you sow, so you reap'. It accepts religious optimism. The ultimate aim of this religion is to produce such good charactered individuals as have truth, non-violence, love, mercy and feelings of benevolence in them. This religion believes in ‘Supermen’. They sacrifice greatly for the cause of the welfare of the country or the society. The whole Parsi community can surely feel proud of this fact. Thanks to them that Zoroastrianism has remained, and will always remain, untarnished. The festivals of Parsis' religion
The birth-day of the founder of Zoroastrian religion viz. Jarthustra happens to be on the sixth day of the first month.
