Dear Friends and Fellow Parsi Irani Zarathustis. Welcome to Houston, The Future Home of the First and Only Perpetual Burning Fire Temple this side of the Western Hemisphere. The MYZD Group is spearheading this effort to establish the first ever Traditional Dadgah to fulfill the spiritual void in our community in North America and more so for our young children and future generations so that they can experience the beauty of our sublime faith just like we did back home in India, Pakistan and Iran.
Our design is inspiring and unique and great pains have been taken to incorporate every traditional specification required to establish a proper house of worship. Every effort is taken to continue our great heritage, legacy and traditions as passed down to us by ours sagacious forefathers including spiritual geometry, axis co-ordinates, site location and grounds clearing all the way down to digging a fresh water well an integral and important part of all our rituals and ceremonies.
We welcome you all to join us in helping build this one of a kind power house so when families come to worship with young children they can experience the grandeur and power of our sublime faith as they bow before the holy flame, or congregate at the BUI ceremony, to hear the Bells Toll and be overwhelmed by the sheer power of the positive force fields generated through our manthravani (prayers) and have their spiritual batteries recharged so they have renewed faith in their future.
We have different programs to suit every budget, from monthly contributions to pledges big or small...become a donor, sponsor or benefactor. Donate as a individual or as a group or in memory of a loved one. If you are interested in one of our Legacy Projects or in Naming Rights for one or more parts of this unique complex please contact us.
We need your Support...We need your Help...Together we can Achieve Great Things. Lets leave a lasting legacy for our children and others who will follow them, after all this is the land of the free and the home of the brave...so lets all stand up and be counted and support this noble undertaking...as our
Ashem Vohu prayer teaches us “"You do the Right thing...because its the
right thing to do”."
Establish a Traditional Zoroastrian Dar-E-Meher to fulfill the spiritual void in the community and more so for our children, to give them a serene place of worship...to experience communion with Dadar Ahura Mazda, to bow before a perpetual burning fire, to rejuvenate and recharge their spiritual batteries and connect to our sublime Faith.
Establish a "TRUPARSI" newsletter, exchanging ideas and information regarding our community and Faith from Parsee/Irani Zarathushtis from around the world.
Priest Quarters for a resident priest for maintaining round the clock service for our "PADSHAH SAHEB" with a minimum of 3 Boi Ceremonies and for other rituals and ceremonies and prayer requests from members of the community. Also facilities for performing "Lagan and Navjote" for the congregation
Start a Real Sunday School, teaching a true curriculum of our Zoroastrian History, Culture, Traditions, Rituals, Customs, Morals and Values. Teaching Gujarati and Persian Languages, providing free simple delicious parsi style meals for all attending.
Establish a Religious Seminary (Theological school) for teaching our religion, training our young priests, training for Navar/Martab students, for Para-Mobeds and others for performing basic rituals, ceremonies and chores around the Dar-E-Meher, Religious Camps and Mentoring, Seminars and Lecture series from local and visiting scholars.
Establish a Center for preserving Parsi arts and crafts... Chalk Designs, Toran making, Stitching Sadras, Weaving Kustis, making Parsi style "Phetas & Pagris" (ceremonial headgear worn by Parsi men at weddings, navjotes and other Zoroastrian events), Parsi cooking and making of other savories and treats so unique to our traditions and culture.
Establish a "Dharamsala" (Guest House) for out of town visitors and pilgrims
Also plans for a future Montessori/Daycare for our very young, proper nurturing and loving care, bringing them up in a wonderful parsi style wholesome environment, teaching them communication, interaction and language skills to flower and bloom in our community.
The Ahunavar Complex, a group of 5 buildings that make up the "FAROHAR" shaped Dar-E-Meher was inspired by the ruins of the most beautiful city/state capital of the Achaemenians Empire "PERSEPOLIS" envisioned by Cyrus the Great and built upon by Darius 1, Xersis and Artaxersis. In our Design each building ties in with the other creating this unique complex that when viewed from the sky will actually look like a Farohar
A lot of research, time and pain has gone into creating this complex group of buildings that make up the Farohar, each is symbolic with our beliefs, heritage, culture and history. Each building ties in a philosophy, a way of life, a belief systems we Zarathusthis need to inculcate to achieve our ultimate goal...to be one with him...to be with Dadar Ahura Mazda.
Designed for Beauty, Grace and Inspiration, This seven-column structure in the center of the complex representing the real circle of life. Representing the seven Bountiful Immortals (7 Ameshas Spentas) or the attributes of Dadar Ahura Mazda which we all need to inculcate and practice to lead a perfect life.
Ahura Mazda
Bahman(Vohuman) The Realm of Animals
Ardebehest(Asha Vahista) The Realm of Fire
Sheherevar(Khshatra Variyo) The Realm of Heaven
Spendardmard(Spenta Armaity) The Realm of Earth
Khordad(Huavartat) The Realm of Water
Amardad(Ameretat) The Realm of Plants
With Behman(Good Mind) we develop Kindness, Forgiveness and Mercy...which in turn develops Ardebehest(Truth) Order, Righteousness, Justice and Obedience...which leads us to Sheherevar(Dominion) to exercise Good Control and Prudence over our passions and weaknesses...which leads us to Spendardmard(Humility) to have faith and devotion to align ourselves to our chosen path or DAENA...which leads us to Khordad(Wholesomeness) Completion and Perfection...therefore leading us to Amardad(Immortality) Life Everlasting, making us one with our Creator Dadar Ahura Mazda.
The Structure standing tall on Seven Bull Headed Columns under a bezel roof with a circular skylight opening at the top...Three steps lead up to the center fountain pool inside a circular promenade. This real circle of life leads in to the Winged Bull Arch...the grand entryway across a short courtyard to the Dadgah. The two Wings on left and right complete the Farohar Complex
The Winged Bulls or "Lamasu" have always stood guard over Palaces, Gateways and courtyards of important religious and royal institutions. Known to be custodians and guardians of these famous entryways, these mythological part human, part bird, part animal life forms signify strength, wisdom and unflinching prowess in driving away all malefic and negative force fields away from these institutions.
The Sculpture comprises of the body of a Bull (sometimes a Lion's body is also used), the wings of an Eagle and a crowned human head. The bull or lion signifies strength, the Eagle signifies power and dominion and the crowned human head signifies royalty, intelligence and divinity.
The Winged Bull Arch was originally part of the main Dadgah building (the tail section of the complex) The arch also houses the main abulution and shower facilities for families interested in performing Navjote and Wedding ceremonies at the Dadgah. After some research it was realized that since waste water and sewer lines running around and under the Arch would compromise the Sanctity of the Dadgah building it was decided that the Arch be built as a seperate structure so that the spiritual geometry of the main Dadgah building remained intact.
All in all the arch creates a grand entryway leading to the main Dadgah after one circles around the 7 column bull headed fountain.
Inspired by Darius' Palace at Persepolis, though on a smaller scale, is a fan shaped structure which comprises the tail section of the Farohar shaped Ahunavar Complex. The Nerve Center of this entire complex, this will be the first structure that will be build as soon as the needed finances are arranged. All proper protocols and specifications for creating a proper traditional Dadgah as recommended by the High Priest in India, Religious Scholars and Other Experts in the field in India will be followed
All ground work, axis co-ordinates, site orientation, and spiritual geometry including the digging for a fresh water well on the property in close proximity of the Dadgah building will be incorporated into the final plans before any construction is started. Natural day lighting, harnessing wind power for natural cooling and air circulation in and around the building will also be utilized.
The Kebla Room, will be a perfect square and is designed to operate most efficently for dissipating smoke and provide good air circulation and air quality within the precients of the Dadgah building. It will be structured so as to contain and retain all essentail elements and properties required for maintaining the subtle inner environment of a proper functioning, and perputually burning enthroned fire. A resident priest will perform all the requisite duties and will be responsibile to maintain, sustain and replenish this Dadgah grade fire at regular intervals and time periods demanded by our sublime faith. We are also very fortunate to have 15 to 16 priests within our community in Houston who have volunteered their services as and when required.
The Roof of the building is symbolic of the most important back drop of Zoroastrian history and legends.....The Legendary DAMAVAND considered by many of the faithfull as the portal to the beyond, a transit stop before the soul of the departed enters the realm of CHINVAT on Charum or the forth day of judgement. During yearly Muktad Ceremonies it is said that the souls of the departed make their way down the same path to reside in the waterly urns filled with flowers for the days of the muktad and partake in the prayers and offering made by the living family members and the congregation of Zoroastrians as a whole, blessing us in return for helping them in their spiritual progress in their after life
Damavand has been used extensively by the Great Persian Poet Ferdowsi in his epic "The Shahnameh" as a back drop in many a battles against good and evil. It is here that the young Shah Feredoon with the aid of Kaveh the blacksmith defeated the evil Zohak and festered him in chains till time immemorial in the hidden recesses of the great mountain. Local legend has it that on cold winter mornings when the winds pick up, the locals can hear the groans of this evil sucking away on the chains that imprison it slowly wilting them down only to be defeated at dawn by the clarion call of the Rooster when miraculously the chains are restored to it original size and strength.
Our Books also tell us about the fore runners for the revival of our sublime faith, Hosedar Mah and Hosedar Bami and the advent of Shah Behram Varjavand, our future saviour will be coming forth from this Talismatic Mountain Peak which holds so many promises and clues for our divine faith.
The Right Wing section will house a Muktad Hall with a full size commercial kitchen area with all facilities. This section can also be use for "Lagan and Navjote" ceremonies.
The Left Wing section will house the priest quarters, a seminary (madressa) and guest quarter for out of town visitors and pilgrims.
RESTRICTED ENTRY INTO THE DAR-E-MEHER
Entrance into the Dar-E-Meher being constructed by the MYZD group shall be governed by the directives of the High Priests of the Zoroastrian Faith in India. Based on directives passed down to the Officers of the MYZD Group by the High Priests this section contains restrictions on entry and shall be strictly construed and enforced by the Officers of the MYZD Group and the spiritual leaders of the Dar-E-Meher.
A) Entrance into the Dar-E-Meher is restricted to those Zarathushtis who are born into the Zoroastrian Faith, whose Father and Mother are Zoroastrians and whose maternal and paternal grandparents are also Zoroastrians
B) An individual otherwise qualified for entry into the Dar-E-Meher under subparagraph(A) above shall be denied entry into the Dar-E-Meher if such individual has married someone who is not also qualified under subparagraph(A) above. For example, a man who is born of Zorastrian Faith and qualifies under subparagraph(A) above will not be permitted entry into the Dar-E-Meher if his wife is not born into the Zorastrian Faith.
C) The Descendents of someone who is denied entry into the Dar-E-Meher under subparagraph(B) above shall also be denied entry into the Dar-E-Meher.
The restrictions contained in this section may only be changed through a ammendment to the ByLaws for which there is a unanimous consent of the Officers of the MYZD group , furthermore, the Officers of the MYZD group should seek counsel of the High Priests of the Zorastrian Faith before any ammendment can be made.
Contact Us:
myzdgroup_yahoo.com
myzdgroup_hotmail.com
myzdgroup_gmail.com
OFFICERS of the MYZD Group
Kaemerz Dotiwala - President
Barjor Dastur - Treasurer
Tehemtan Aresh - Fund Raising
Kershaw Khumbatta - Accountant
Noshir Challa - Construction
Affraz Boomla - Construction
Aspi Colah - Construction
Zubin Colah - Webmaster
There are numerious other volunteers and sub-committees assigned to different task for all the different aspects of this project
Our Architect : Cyrus Rivetna of Chicago
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Rivetna Architects Inc,
340 E Randolph St, #505
Chicago, IL 60601
For comments, queries and questions also
to volunteer, support, donate please email us
myzdgroup _yahoo.com
