Nauheed Cyrusi offers a glimpse into some of the lesser-known traditions of the Parsi community, and one of the most intriguing ones is what happens when a Parsi dies. From a sacred fire that has been burning for centuries to a rather unexpected role played by dogs, the customs are unlike what many people might be familiar with.
What Happens When A Parsi Dies? Nauheed Cyrusi Explains
While taking viewers through Dadar Parsi Colony, Nauheed Cyrusi points out the Rustam Faramna Agiary, a Parsi fire temple. But why are these places called fire temples? The answer lies in the sacred fire that is kept burning and carefully tended to as an important part of Zoroastrian worship.
According to Nauheed, a fire has been burning at the temple for centuries. The flame is treated with immense reverence, which is also why people belonging to other religious faiths are not allowed inside. For the Parsi community, this is not simply a place with a fire burning inside it. The fire is an important part of their religious tradition and is carefully preserved across generations.
But the traditions surrounding death are perhaps even more surprising.
Nauheed explains that Parsis are not burned or cremated after they die. Instead, they follow their own traditional funeral practices. And somewhere in this process comes a rather unusual detail: a dog.
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Lesser-Known Funeral Rituals Of The Parsi Community
Parsis, she says, love their dogs. Really, really love their dogs! That affection also finds its way into one of their death rituals.
In Parsi tradition, the final rites following a death are known as Dokhmenashini. The body is placed on a circular, raised open-air structure called a Dakhma, or Tower of Silence. A dog is then brought near the body and allowed to sniff it. As Nauheed explains, the purpose is to check whether the soul has passed away.
It is certainly not the kind of funeral ritual most people would have encountered before. Yet, for the Parsi community, it forms part of traditions that have been carried through generations.
From the Rustam Faramna Agiary and its centuries-old fire to the role of a dog at the time of death, Nauheed’s explanation gives viewers a rare peek into Parsi customs. It is a reminder that sometimes, the most fascinating cultural details are the ones you would never think to ask about.
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FAQs
What happens when a Parsi dies?
Parsis traditionally follow Zoroastrian funeral practices rather than cremation. The body is handled according to specific religious customs surrounding death and ritual purity.
Do Parsis cremate their dead?
Traditionally, Parsis do not cremate or bury their dead. The traditional practice involves placing the body in a dokhma, commonly known as a Tower of Silence.
What is a Parsi fire temple?
A Parsi fire temple, or agiary, is a place of worship where a sacred fire is maintained and treated with deep religious reverence.