What are the architectural features of the Tower of Silence Mumbai?
The modern-day towers, which are fairly uniform in their construction, have an almost flat roof, with the perimeter being slightly higher than the centre. The roof is divided into three concentric rings: the bodies of men are arranged around the outer ring, women in the second ring, and children in the innermost ring.
What happens in Tower of Silence?
Tower of Silence is a cremation or burial ground for Parsis. According to the customs, when a Parsi dies, the body is brought to the tower of silence and laid under the open sky to be fed upon by scavenger birds; mostly vultures.
Why is it called Tower of Silence?
The Tower of Silence The upper part is exposed to the Sun and birds of prey/ carrion – usually vultures. In the early 19th century, a translator in colonial British India, roughly translated the name as “The Tower of Silence”. This is the origin of the English name.
What is the Tower of Silence made of?
stone
The Towers of Silence or dakhma are roofless cylindrical structures made of stone. The bodies of the dead are placed here so that they are open to the elements as well as birds of prey.
What is the importance of Tower of Silence?
The Tower of Silence was the ultimate creation to keep the evil away from loved ones. The Tower of Silence also protects the elements of nature from contamination with dead bodies. For example, cremation pollutes the air and fire while burials in the ground contaminate the soil.
Who built the Tower of Silence Mumbai?
Seth Moti Hirji
The Tower of Silence was built in 1672, by Seth Moti Hirji. The Tower is where the Parsi community performs the last rites for the departed. According to Zoroastrian belief, the earth – Zam and fire- Atar are considered pure and divine.
Why the Tower of Silence is unique?
Why was the Tower of Silence in Mumbai built?
The Tower of Silence was built in 1672, by Seth Moti Hirji. The Tower is where the Parsi community performs the last rites for the departed. The body of the dead is considered as a pollutant and hence the dead are disposed off atop of a tall tower, to be putrefied by the sun and birds of prey.
Why was the Tower of Silence built in Mumbai?
Who called Parsis?
Parsi, also spelled Parsee, member of a group of followers in India of the Iranian prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra). The Parsis, whose name means “Persians,” are descended from Persian Zoroastrians who emigrated to India to avoid religious persecution by Muslims.
Why is the Tower of Silence famous?
One such monument is the Tower of Silence, which is the final resting place for the Parsi community. The Tower is where the Parsi community performs the last rites for the departed. According to Zoroastrian belief, the earth – Zam and fire- Atar are considered pure and divine.