Mortuary Rituals of the Zoroastrians of India
(University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
Over the decades, Zoroastrian’s mode of disposal of the dead has gone though significant changes. Initially, the bodies were simply exposed to natural elements on any high platform and after the flesh withered away, the bones were swept into an ossuary. Gradually, specific structures (Dokhmas) were built for this precise purpose and over the years, the Dokhmas were refined to serve more effectively. With refinement, the funerary rituals influenced social, political and economic dynamics of the society as well. However, the basic principle and ideology of the dead has been retained. Zoroastrians are originally from Iran. A group of Zoroastrian refugees fled Islamic persecution in C7th A.D. and entered India for shelter. Along with them, they brought their beliefs and religion which preaches monotheism and active participation in good deeds and thoughts. The community is slowly perishing. India holds the largest Zoroastrian community of only 70,000 in the world. The dwindling community now faces the predicament of changing this mode of disposal for a few reasons, including the vultures, which play a huge role in the funerary process, being close to extinction. This paper discusses the Zoroastrian’s mode of disposal, with primary focus on the first Dokhma built in India (C8th A.D.), changes across time in India, and the dire problems this small community faces today which will soon force them to search for different alternatives to dispose the dead.