Here are some pictures of the agairy (fire-temple) at Bhuj, a small town in Gujarat, India. On 26th January 2001, India’s Republic Day there was a massive earthquake, with Bhuj as the epicentre. The agiary however escaped with a few minor cracks. Here are some pictures of it. I really want to visit this place. There are so many fire-temples in small places across Gujarat and Maharashtra, looked after by a few dedicated families. I wonder what is going to become of these places of worship, which have been quietly standing for years, after the present generation of priests passes. There doesn’t seem to be anyone who is going to look after them.
Most of these agiaries are lovely old, strong buildings, many of them over a hundred years ago. They are in quiet spots, with large sprawling properties, lots of trees, and an old well, forgotten by the rest of India, as it struggles to surge ahead. These were built at a time when there were a good number of Parsis in such places, but today most of them have migrated abroad, or to the larger cities of India. And just a few people, often only the priest’s family still lives there and maintains the place.
Fire-temple at Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Interior entrance hall of the fire-temple
Thanks Rustom for the pictures!
Pictures of a past generation. It seems so tranquil. It reminds me of the agyari in Karachi, the simple, functional, yet elegant furniture, pictures on the wall…. Thank you for posting. – OTK