Valsad, 10 December 2013

Hindu crematorium in Valsad perhaps witnessed the first incident of Hindu style cremation of Parsi dead body.

A dead body of Parsi gentleman Minoch Dastoor was burnt in fire here as per Dastoor’s wish expressed in his will.

Apprehending protest by orthodox Parsis, police protection was sought during cremation.

Parsi people believe that any non-Parsi should not see face of Parsi dead body. They therefore conceal the face of dead body using cloth. However late Minoch Dastoor had opposed this custom.

Valsad has Parsi crematorium known as the Tower of silence. Traditional practice is to put the dead body in a specially constructed well so that vultures can come and have a feast. However, nowadays vultures are not found at all, due to which sometime dead body lies in well for as long as nine months!

To resolve this issue, Parsi Anjuman Trust had installed Solar system, so that concentrated solar heat can burn down the dead body. Thanks to this system, dead body could be removed in four-five days.

However due to lack of maintenance, the solar system was lately not working efficiently, making condition of dead bodies worst.

Minochbhai was sad about this, and therefore in his will he asked to put his dead body in fire. He also wished that all post-death rituals should be performed at his home only. He wished to allow people belonging to all faiths to have darshan of his dead body.