The Parsis and the Fire Temple at Udvada, India

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Udvada, is a small town, a few miles north of Daman a one time Portuguese enclave, on the west coast of India, north of Mumbai/Bombay,and in the southern part of Gujarat State. Udvada is home to the foremost Zoroastrian Fire Temple,The Iranshah Fire Temple.......

the Zoroastrians known as Parsis (Parsees), are the descendants of Zoroastrian-Iranian settlers who moved to India in the 9th/10th century A.D.to preserve their ancient faith from the ongoing Islamisation of Iran-a sad and tragic period for them.

The sacred fire was kindled in around 950 A.D. and as per their religious custom has never been allowed to go out and will continue to burn- fed with sandalwood and low burning wood, on a bed of white ash 'enthroned' on a large metal vessel, attended by priests (the magi of the Bible fame)- until the Parsees survive as a people. (They reached a peak in numbers in around 1940s at 1,40,000 and are presently around 1,00,000- a highly educated community with a very low birth-rate.)

In Zoroastrianism, the sacred Fire placed in an inner sanctum where only a priest who has undergone purificatory rituals can enter, symbolises God's universe, an icon of purity -the scriptures explain fire as the Son of God-"Athre-putro Ahurai Mazdao" Fire Son of Ahura Mazda (Lord Wisdom.)

Udvada on the shores of south Gujrat, is connected by rail from Mumbai; the embarkation station is Udvada Station, around 4 hours journey from Mumbai Central Terminus, in Mumbai. From Udvada station a local taxi or rickshaw (a three wheeler) will take you the 7 kilometers to Udvada town. The sacred Fire was kindled in the 10th century in Sanjan, a few miles south of Udvada,and brought here in the late 18th century. The Western Express motor highway also connects from Mumbai to Udvada thru Udvada Station. There are a wide choice of budget hotels in Udvada, the Globe, Noshirwan, Mek, link :http://www.indiahotelreview.com/destination_udvada.

Facts on Udvada: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udvada

I recommend, for those who choose to stay 3/4 days in this enchanting small town, to stroll the village narrow roads; it will be an experience to observe the lazy laid back life of the townfolk, watch an elderly grey/snow bearded patriarch, a Zoroastrian priest, with a white head gear and loose fitting white muslin clothes ambling down the town narrow road; this would be a Zoroastrian priest. If you want an all rounded taste of Parsi cuisine, eat at various hotels, ask for Parsi specialities, and the fried local fish, the boi (mullet) is a must.