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Homage Unto Ahura Mazda, Book of Zoroastrian Prayers



DESCRIPTION
In this slideshow, you will see:
The front cover of the first edition of a booklet of Zoroastrian prayers written by Dastur Dhalla, a prominent high priest from Karachi, India (now Pakistan). This book was first published pre-partition in 1941 and many editions since have been freely circulated for Zoroastrian and non-Zoroastrian readers. The booklet consists of historical and spiritual knowledge about the Zoroastrian religion. For Anahita Sidhwa, this booklet was one of the only objects she brought from her home in Pakistan to Texas. Also, due to the persecution of Zoroastrians in Persia during the 7th century, the community lost many of their historical documents and sacred texts, which is why, many Zoroastrians have a high regard for their prayer books and pass old editions to future generations.

The inside cover of the Homage Unto Ahura Mazda prayer booklet. It was gifted to Anahita Sidhwa's dad, Phiroze M. Thanawalla, from Jamasji Hormusji, his boss at the Sind Patent Tiles Factory. In remembering the stories Anahita shares he was a mentor who taught her dad how to run the factory, where her dad worked his whole life. The inscription is transcribed as follows: Phiroze M. Thanawalla From: Jamasji Hormusji.

The title page of the Homage Unto Ahura Mazda prayer booklet that shows the pre-partition reference of Karachi as part of India and Dastur Dhalla as the author.

The epigraph page of the Homage Unto Ahura Mazda prayer booklet in which Dastur Dhalla dedicated this book to Pirojsha Nusserwanji Mehta for printing and circulating this booklet free of charge.

The table of contents of Homage Unto Ahura Mazda displaying titles of chapters about the historical, cultural, ritual aspects of Zoroastrianism, in addition to some core Avestan prayers.

The table of contents of Homage Unto Ahura Mazda displaying titles of chapters about the historical, cultural, ritual aspects of Zoroastrianism, in addition to some core Avestan prayers.

The table of contents of Homage Unto Ahura Mazda displaying titles of chapters about the historical, cultural, ritual aspects of Zoroastrianism, in addition to some core Avestan prayers.

ADDITIONAL METADATA
Subject(s): Anahita Sidhwa
Type: Publication
Source: Archival Creators Fellowship Program
Creator: Sharmeen Mehri
Contributor: Anahita Sidhwa
Location: Dallas, Texas

PROVENANCE
Collection: Sharmeen Mehri Fellowship Project
Donor: Anahita Sidhwa
Item History: 2022-07-13 (created); 2022-07-19 (modified)

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