The book, ‘Iranshah A Legacy Restored’, captures the extensive structural restoration of the Iranshah ?tash Behram and the buildings in the campus in Udwada, Gujarat, India. The book records the progress of the work as it unfolded, interventions which were discovered, conservation of the art and antiquity within the ?tash Behram, a glimpse of life in Udwada, the significance of a consecrated fire and a brief introduction of the Zoroastrian religion. It is humbly dedicated to the loving memory of Mr. Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry and Mr. Cyrus Pallonji Mistry.
“The restoration of the ?tash Behram is in gratitude to the legacies our priests have preserved. And although all that is written is not enough to express the effort and perseverance of the teams, the book is a tribute to everyone who has toiled on this restoration project,” says Shapoor Mistry, Chairman, Shapoorji Pallonji And Company Pvt Ltd.
This Iranshah ?tash Behram building was constructed nearly 130 years ago and consecrated on 31st October 1894. Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor of the Iranshah ?tash Behram, feeling the need to repair and upgrade the deteriorating physical condition of Iranshah, approached Shapoorji Pallonji, with an appeal to help, not just by providing funds but also the construction experience of SP honed over more than 155 years.
Over the last century, this building and other structures in the campus had undergone many changes and renovations. The aim was to restore the buildings as originally envisaged by Bai Motlibai Manockjee Wadia, who’s generous contribution led to the construction of the ?tash Behram. The construction of the buildings adhered to strict religious doctrine, and every restoration decision was taken only after consultation with the Udwada Anjuman Association (UAA), the nine priestly families who serve the Iranshah fire. On 14th December 2021, just after midnight, the Iranshah ?tash Padshah moved back to its throne in the restored ?tash Behram.
Shapoorji Pallonji conducted a detailed examination and prepared a meticulous plan for strengthening the structural stability of the buildings. The restoration proved to be more complex than anticipated due to the lack of technical drawings or plans of the buildings, which are of significant value in the process of restoring heritage structures. On ground discoveries led to modification of workflow plans while adhering to the requirements of religious customs and practices followed by the priests. Hence a decision to publish this book was taken to build a visual record and provide comprehensive data to aid future generations in preserving the ?tash Behram and other buildings in the compound.
This book is a collective effort of the teams at Shapoorji Pallonji, with guidance and support from scholars of Zoroastrianism. We thank all individual professionals and firms, for their significant contributions and expert support towards crafting this manuscript on the revered Iranshah ?tash Behram, the principal place of worship of the Parsi, Irani Zoroastrian faith and community.
The published hardcover ‘Iranshah A Legacy Restored’ is available in Kitabkhana, Mumbai, and will soon be available on www.amazon.in.
About Shapoorji Pallonji And Company Pvt Ltd
Shapoorji Pallonji And Company Pvt Ltd, established in 1865 in India, is a global diversified institution, with a leading presence in the sectors of Engineering & Construction, Infrastructure, Real Estate, Water, Energy and Financial Services. A strong employee base of over 35,000 people, deliver end-to-end solutions across 40 nations. We build mega-structures, develop multifaceted iconic landmarks, drive innovative technologies in water management, renewable energy, oil & gas and power, with a focus on good governance and sustainable development, to engineer a better planet. To know more, visit: www.shapoorjipallonji.com.
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