1.  

https://youtu.be/9DLiR4VawqM?si=cFpHjl62gjmpWO7p

(this video captures the quintessential Parsi ambience of Udvada, old Parsi homes and silent atmosphere. A heritage that cannot be lost.) 

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To

The Rt. Honourable Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister.

( this petition is from Petitioners with much needed participation expected from the Udvada High Priests, Vada Dastur Khurshed Dastur and Vada Dastur Tehemton Mirza, and the 9 Family Athornan Anjuman, custodians of the Most Holy Iranshah Atash Padshah.)

 

cc to:

Shri Kiren Rijiju, Honourable Minister of Minority Affairs.

Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Relevant Government Authorities.

Bombay Parsi Panchayat.

Udvada Vada Dasturjis.

Udvada Nav Kutumbi members.

 Udvada Athornan Mandal, and Udvada Samast Anjuman.

Udvada  Gram Panchayat.

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Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,

 Sir,

This is a petition by we, Parsi- Irani Zoroastrians, humbled and honoured by your goodwill for the community. We would be most grateful that steps are taken - by your support and authority - that will ensure the most sacred Parsi Zoroastrian Fire Temple Iranshah and Udvada village (gaam) retain their Zoroastrian spiritual atmosphere and traditional Parsi ambience, as reflected in peace and calm there,  their simple rural living, in their modest but heritage houses,  and their devotion to their Zoroastrian ancient faith.

(The recent ( October 2025) attempt to sell, by auction, the Sanjan Sanatorium for Parsis, which property stands adjoining the Parsi Stambh (pillar) that marks the coming of Parsis to India, is a wake up call that a heritage can be sold away for money. This cannot ever happen to the vintage homes surrounding Iranshah Atashbehram, because most of these vintage homes belong to Parsi priests and form a priestly community protective "boundary". The very least this petition expects any replacement of these houses should be residential blocks for Parsis/ Iranis ( like Cusrow Baug and other such enclaves in Mumbai, Navsari and other places.)

https://www.auda.org.in/uploads/Assets/rdp/notification-finalcomprehensive11012017112240810.pdf

 This Gujarat government  legislation  aligns with the aims of this0 petition : refer Gujarat Government Notification No GH/ V/ 269 of 12/10/ 2017

The Udvada Development Authority (UDA) is a special body created by the Government of Gujarat, India, with the primary purpose of regulating and promoting planned development in the village of Udvada. This is done specifically to protect its unique cultural and religious heritage, particularly for the Parsi community.  
​Based on the general functions of Urban Development Authorities in India and specific details regarding the UDA, its powers and functions likely include:
​🏛️ Key Powers and Functions
​Development Regulation: The Authority has the power to regulate development within the village. This includes controlling building and development activities to ensure they are consistent with the Authority's planning objectives.  
​Heritage Preservation: A core function is to safeguard the Parsi religious and architectural heritage.
​It has the authority to grade Parsi-owned houses for their heritage value.  
​These heritage houses cannot be legally demolished without the Authority's approval.  
​Zoning and Planning: The UDA has divided the village into different zones for regulating development:  
​The vicinity of Iranshah Atash Behram (the sacred Parsi fire temple) is given the highest priority for regulating development.  
​A buffer zone around the core region.  
​The peripheries.  
​Development Control: Like other Development Authorities in Gujarat, it exercises powers related to:
​Granting or refusing development permissions (sanction for sub-division of plots or construction).
​Taking action against unauthorized development or use of land.
​Preparing and implementing development plans and town planning schemes for the area.
​Legal Authority: The Authority is a body corporate and operates under the framework of the Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act, 1976 (or similar relevant state legislation), which grants it powers to:
​Acquire, hold, develop, manage, and dispose of property.
​Coordinate the implementation of development plans.  
​In essence, the UDA acts as the Planning Authority for the Udvada area, ensuring that any development aligns with the goal of protecting the village as one of the most important holy Parsi sites, preventing haphazard industrialization or construction.

 

 

The Background:

Sir, the Holy Iranshah, this sacred consecreted fire continually burning since past 1200 years, now in Udvada village (gaam), since 1742, is the most holy Fire Temple (Atashbehram) of the Parsi-Irani  Zoroastrian community. (Even Iranian Zoroastrians visit this place from Iran.) The purity and spirituality of Iranshahji is believed to protect all human life residing within its area of spiritual influence (called ‘kash’). Hence, sir, the areas surrounding Iranshah Atashbehram should be kept peaceful, silent and devoid of all disturbances, as much as possible.

Sir, a protective enclave around Iranshah Atashbehram effectively increases the sacred boundary of Iranshah Atash, and hence that will ensure more cleanliness and purity for our religious rituals (kriyakaam)

Secondly, the simple and peaceful spiritual ambience around Iranshahji should be retained so that the priests and the other Parsis residing near and around Iranshahji collectively retain the Parsi way of life. There are many vintage Parsi houses around Iranshah Atashbehram, that blend in with the sacred ambience there , which could be retained as they are by helping the owners financially so that they can be maintained in their pristine vintage condition, from funding, set up as detailed below. 

Thirdly, Udvada gaam was selected for housing Iranshahji, some 250 years ago,  because of its relative isolation and secluded nature as compared to other places in Gujarat. This means Udvada gaam is a holy pilgrimage destination for Parsis. 

Lastly, Udvada is not a tourist spot to showcase the Parsi way of life and let hordes of tourist pour in to the village, during an utsav or throughout year. There are incidents when tourists have behaved in an irresponsible and disrespectful manner and some have even tried to force their way into the prohibited premises of Holy Iranshahj Atashbehram. This disturbs the sacred atmosphere,  and creates a lot of tension for the local Parsi residents. Additionally,  being on the tourist map means the tourists, as time proceeds, will demand more and more luxuries found in cities and tourist spots,  like night-entertainment, casinos, etc – which are absolutely  unsuitable for a holy sacred place like Udvada.

 

THE PETITION:

1.    To Setup A Peaceful / Protective / Silent Zone / Enclave Around The Immediate Area Of The Iranshah Atashbehram.
   [To be implemented by the Udvada Trust (see below,) in consultation with local  concerned bodies or groups, like The Udvada Gram Panchayat, The Parsi Panchayat of Udvada, The Nine-Kutumbi priestly families of Udvada, etc.]
   1.1.    This protective enclave should be set up around the immediate area of the Iranshah Fire Temple, from the western wall of the adjoining Petit Agiary in the west, running down the road fronting Iranshah Atashbehram entrance, up to the eastern boundary of the Iranshah temple walls, and further upto the car park in the east, this enclave also enclosing the houses facing Iranshah Atashbehram and adjoining Petit Agiary. 
   1.2.    A security setup should reserve the rights to who should traverse this road, and stop the entry of any group of people or vehicles which are likely to disturb the peace of this sacred area. 
   1.3.    The presence of hawkers should be discouraged; and beggars be stopped from entering this area.
   1.4.    All noise pollution in this area - especially from loudspeakers during political campaigning, or religious or festival celebrations, noisy firecrackers, Utsav celebrations, etc - should be disallowed, at least reduced and controlled. All of Udvada should be cleared of stray dogs and stray cattle.
   1.5.    All electronically pollution devices and surveillance devices like mobile phone towers, electricity sub-stations, drones, etc should be discouraged in the enclave around Iranshahji.                      1.6 the rural farmland around Udvada village should not be delisted for urban development, except for houses/ colonies/ "baugs" for Parsis Iranis to settle in Udvada. 

(Examples of such protective enclaves is The Vatican  in Rome, etc.)

2.    Maintenance And Preservation Of Vintage Parsi-Owned Houses In Udvada Village
[To be implemented by the Udvada Trust, in consultation with local concerned bodies and groups,  like The Udvada Gram Panchayat, The Parsi Panchayat of Udvada, The Nav-Kutumbi priestly families of Udvada, etc.]
2.1.  That a Trust be created ( refer point 8.)  and grants from the government, and donations from Zoroastrian organizations/ trusts and individuals create funds to repair the vintage houses.
2.2.    Within boundaries of "old" Udvada, i.e. the entire area where vintage houses/hotels etc. still stand :- With the funds raised,  purchase at a fair market value, Parsi and other vintage houses that are abandoned or put up for sale by the owners. 
2.3.    Further, these said houses, maintained in their pristine heritage condition, may be resold to Parsi- Irani Zoroastrians only/or converted to retirement homes or rented out to Parsi-Irani Zoroastrians, or used as homes for the Parsi homeless and those Parsis living in old damaged homes in urban areas like Mumbai, or for Parsis who want to make Udvada their home.
2.4.    If construction over demolished structures or new construction on vacant plots continues as per existing rules, the maximum height of these structures should be restricted to ground plus two floors only.

2.5. This preservation of heritage, vintage houses should not mean modern digital accessories, such as WiFi and Starlink, and any  receiving or transmitting  equipments, modern interiors and plumbing, climate control, etc, be discouraged; on the contrary, every modern and supportive accessories can be built in/ installed without disturbing the outer vintage facade of these houses, as is universally done in many parts of the world.

2.6. In the event new construction are inevitable and planned in place of  vintage houses or on vacant plots around/ near Iranshah Atashbehram, these structures should  be designed to blend in with the majestic Persian facade of the Iranshah makaan, ie the facade of these new structures should have cornices, pilasters, door frames, windows frames,  columns (if any) in the Persian style, as one sees on the facade of Iranshah temple structure. This is the least we do to embellish a Parsi Zoroastrian ambience of the area. New buildings height be restricted to ground plus 2 levels maximum. A baug/ colony or a new building should also be designed on the same Persian architectural plan.

 

3.    Setting Up Business And Industrial Zones For Parsi Entrepreneurs
3.1.    The Gujarat government set up green and ecologically-friendly business zones for cottage or light industrial activity away but not too far from the Udvada village (gaam).
This is to encourage Parsi-Irani entrepreneurs to set up businesses there, enabling Parsis- Iranis to secure employment here and to take up residences in Udvada. 

4.    Setup A Full-Fledged Police Station To Control Crime, Home Break-Ins, Anti-Social Activities And Drug Trafficking, etc.
4.1.    A full-fledged and adequately manned Police Station in Udvada village (gaam) to cater to the safety needs of both locally-settled and visiting population of Udvada. 
4.2.    For effective prevention of crimes and pursuing the offenders, especially of home break-ins of local people. The Parsis there now are generally seniors 
4.3.    Monitoring the Udvada beach to prevent smugglers dumping charas, drug storage or trafficking and pedalling of drugs.

5.  Proper and Adequate Medical Facilities in Udvada Village
[To be implemented in consultation with local concerned bodies and groups like The Udvada Gram Panchayat, The Parsi Panchayat of Udvada, The Nine-Kutumbi priestly families of Udvada, etc.]
5.1.  A well-staffed medical clinic with doctor on call, with proper medical equipment for ordinary treatment and for routine emergencies too.
An ambulance service and Pathology and Radiology facilities too would be helpful.
 
6.    Utsavs Should Not Be Held In the close vicinity of Iranshah Atashbehram.
However,  all future Utsavs to be held at Udvada, the events presented in the Utsavs should portray our  Religious and cultural heritage, and imparting religious knowledge should be in line with the tenets of the religion

6.1.   Sir,  Utsavs should NOT be held in close vicinity of the Atashbehram.
Udvada already has religious occasions like two Anniversary celebrations of Iranshah Atash, in April and November, and, also,  every month  Parsis visit Udvada on the religious day of Behram Roz (day) , and on other days too.

However, as a tradition of holding Utsavs at Udvada is bringing together members of the community from across the world,  the events presented in the Utsavs should be religious and cultural,  but that create no controversies within the community.
6.2.    The Events Schedule of all future utsavs should be displayed (at least 1 month) in advance, in Parsi- Gujarati newspapers and social media sites.

 

6. 3  Staged shows of indecent nature or not suitable for family/ children viewing to be banned, whether in the day or night sessions.  Controversial speeches or displays that create any religious controversies within the community should be strictly avoided.

 
7.    Udvada Should Be Immediately De-Listed As A Tourist Centre
7.1.    Sir,  Udvada is not a tourist spot to showcase the Parsi way of life or let hordes of tourist pour in to the village during an utsav or during the remaining 12 months of the year. In the past, tourists have behaved in an irresponsible and disrespectful manner and some have even tried to force their way into the prohibited premises of Holy Iranshahji. This defiles the atmosphere and creates a lot of tension for the local Parsi families. Additionally being on the tourist map means the tourists, as time proceeds,  will demand more  luxuries of city living like night-entertainment, casinos, etc – which totally incompatible for a holy place like Udvada. Hence we request the Gujarat government to immediately delist Udvada as a tourist destination.

8. To set up The Udvada Trust under relevant laws and a Panel of Administrators: [to be set up in consultation with local concerned bodies and groups such as the Udvada Gram Panchayat, the Udvada Parsi Panchayat, The Nav Kutumbi priestly families of Udvada, etc]

In order to plan, implement and manage the safe zone, financial aid and management and purchase/sale of vintage homes, and to fulfill the other objects as laid out in this petition, a Trust, under prelevant law, with a Panel of  Administrators be set up comprising of the two High Priests of Udvada Atashbehram, and one member each from the Udvada Gram Panchayat, the Udvada Parsi Panchayat ( the Udvada Samast Anjuman) and from the Donors and / or Organisations/ Trusts that provide funds required to meet the aims of point 2 of Petition. The aim is also to create conditions that attract Parsis and Iranis to settle in or have a permanent base in Udvada.

We, the petioners/ supporters/ signatories urge the two Vada Dasturjis together with the Udvada Samast Anjuman build a team that help to apply for setting up the Trust, with active support and participation by the Trustees of the Bombay Parsi Panchayat and all other Parsi Panchayats, in their official and personal capacity, together with luminaries from the Parsi Irani Community

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In conclusion, Sir, our sole aim is to preserve, for perpetuity,  the Zoroastrian sacred atmosphere of the Iranshah Fire Temple and the Udvada gaam,  and create conditions that would attract and engage Parsis-Iranis to settle in Udvada, a "place for Parsis"

Mr Prime Minister, Sir, we, Parsis, have never ever asked for any special status or any benefits, and equally well, we now have no intentions to ask any form of government overreach in this noble and sacred cause, just your blessings and your signaling authorities concerned to support and cooperate in fulfilling the aims of this petition.

We solicit your kind help in doing so.  
Thank you, Prime Minister Sir.

Sincerely, and with the deepest respect, 

Geve Eruch Narielwalla, Petitioner;  Hushang Vakil and Tehemton Adenwalla Co- Petitioners.

and  promoters/ signatories from Zoroastrian Parsi Irani Community, and the public. 

( This petition is not a legal document and it's contents in no way should be construed as legal demands, and nothing herein is legally binding on anyone addressed here.)

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References:

1) Recent adverse news on Udvada:

INR 5 Crores ( US$ 5,97,000) worth of drugs seized at coast near Udvada. 14th August 2024.

(i) https://english.gujaratsamachar.com/news/gujarat/after-saurashtra-shores-of-south-gujarat-plagued-by-drugs-showing-up

(ii) https://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/rs-8-cr-floating-charas-found-in-valsad-hajira/81873860.html#goog_rewarded

(iii) https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/packets-afghani-charas-gujarat-coast-9546375/

 

Dadar Parsi Colony: World’s Largest Parsi Enclave & A Sustainable Haven https://thebetterindia.com/web-stories/dadar-parsi-colony-worlds-largest-parsi-enclave-green-city-lessons/

 

Most recent (10/09/2025) video on Udvada 

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOLhjqxDB4L/?igsh=MTZjZDZoaHA0MW44Mg==