Iran's Zoroastrian leader visits historic Bhikha Behram well in India

In a significant cultural and religious engagement, Dr. Mehraban Puladi, head of Iran's Zoroastrian community, visited the Bhikha Behram Well in Mumbai, India, to connect with the local Parsi-Zoroastrian community. This visit is a part of his broader religious tour throughout India, aimed at emphasizing the importance and richness of Zoroastrian heritage. Accompanying him was Saloumeh Gholami, a professor specializing in Zoroastrian studies at the University of Cambridge, showcasing an intersection of academia and cultural appreciation that characterizes this tour. During the visit, which took place on December 16, 2024, Puladi interacted with devotees and trustees of the well, an important center of worship built by Parsi businessman Bhikhaji Behramji Panday over 300 years ago, reflecting both historical and contemporary significance for the community. The well is gearing up to celebrate its tricentenary in March 2025, underlining the enduring legacy of Zoroastrianism in the region and the celebration of its cultural heritage. As president of Anjoman-e Mobedan, Dr. Puladi's role involves fostering connections within the Zoroastrian community, and his visit serves as an intercultural exchange focused on community interaction and understanding religious practices, especially concerning the Zoroastrian rituals in Iran. His lineage as a member of the Mobedan family of Yazd positions him as a custodian of Zoroastrian traditions. His dedication to preserving Zoroastrian culture is evidenced by his establishment of the Museum of Zoroastrian Documents and Manuscripts in Iran, which holds vital historical records essential for the community’s heritage. Furthermore, the visit included future plans for interactions with religious leaders and visits to other prominent sites, like the fire temple in Udvada, which is revered as the holiest by the Zoroastrians. The Bhikha Behram Well, built in 1715 CE and regarded as a vital spiritual landmark, is symbolic of the Zoroastrian connection to Mumbai’s history and community. Dr. Viraf Kapadia, a trustee of the Bhikha Behram Well Trust, mentioned that they presented Puladi with a special calendar, commemorating the small but significant steps taken by the community to sustain their religious practices and share experiences across generations. Puladi's visit aims to renew the sense of community within the Zoroastrian diaspora, especially those who fled religious persecution in their homeland many centuries ago. As followers of the faith remain concentrated in specific regions, events like these underline the ongoing relationship with their heritage and the mutual respect fostered between communities in India and Iran, setting the stage for collaborative efforts in preserving Zoroastrian traditions effectively for future generations.