The Parsi community, on Friday, will commemorate the day Zoroastrians landed on Indian soil in the seventh century. Members of the community were given shelter and protection by then Hindu king Jadi Rana of Sanjan, Valsad. On November 16, 1917, Parsis erected a Sanjan Sthambh in memory of their arrival day.
At Sanjan, the Sanjan Memorial Column was specially built to immortalise the historic landing of the community. "Sanjan Day gives us an opportunity to relive with pride our history and heritage on the hallowed ground of the majestic Memorial Column. Sanjan Day offers a unique opportunity to all of us from different walks of life, living in different cities and countries," said Bapsi Daviervala, president of Sanjan Memorial Column Local Committee.
"The celebrations will start early in the morning with a jashan ceremony performed by Mobeds of Nargol, Saronda and other jashan performed by Vada Dastoorji of Udvada with other cultural activities," added the president. Western Railways has made an arrangement for two trains to halt at Sanjan on this occasion. Gujarat Express and Flying Ranee trains will halt at Sanjan on this day, going in both directions.
