Zoroastrianism
in India - Parsis are merely 0.01% of Indian population and most of
them live in Mumbai, but they are distinctive and easily recognizable.
Followers of Zoroastrianism, they migrated from Persia. The religion was
established around 7th century BC but its followers were exiled from
Iran in the 7th century AD by the Muslim fanatics. They landed in
Gujarat region. Parsis believe in one God with no form or shape and that
there is a perpetual war going on between the good forces (forces of
light) and the evil forces (forces of darkness) and the deeds of the
people determines the victory or the outcome of the battle. These people
light fires in their temples to represent God. Parsis mark the village
of Udvada in Gujarat as the holiest place and their holy language is
called Avesta.
It is the ancient language that was once spoken in Iran.
Parsis
have always demonstrated a lot of religious tolerance. They believe in
preserving the purity of natural elements such as fire, water, air and
earth and thus, instead of cremating or burying their dead ones, they
leave them on high towers built especially for the purpose, where their
flesh can be used as food by hawks and crows.
Parsis have
believed in purity of blood and thus, marry in their own community only.
Many prominent figures in the Indian Nationalist movement were Parsis
and they can also be credited with being the pioneers of the modern
Indian industry and various institutions of all kinds in India. Some of
the richer families are still among the bigger finance houses in India.
