A section of the Parsi community has said that they want to construct a Zoroastrian Centre in Mumbai, similar to the one inaugurated in Pune, if it is funded. The rebel group in the Parsi community inaugurated Asha Vahishta (best righteousness), a alternative Zoroastrian Centre which has a Dadgah (house-level) fire and a library, on Monday. "The orthodox for the past few years have been challenging us to go ahead and do what we want to. We did this to ensure that Parsi families are not separated. With a number of Parsis marrying outside community, Parsi families were getting divided. Such a thing was also having adverse psychological effect on Parsis. The children of mixed marriage have been feeling that either their mother (non-Parsi) cannot enter or they and their father cannot enter a fire temple if the mother is a Parsi. Since we have prohibitive land prices here, we managed to make one in Pune," said Vispy Wadia, trustee of Association of Revival of Zoroastrian (ARZ). The body sought the help of prominent Parsis and built the center in Pune where the Parsi population is said to be second highest after Mumbai. In Pune, there are 6,000 Parsis while in Mumbai there are between 35,000 to 40,000 Parsis. "I just heard that they started an alternative fire temple but consecration of a fire has to have certain procedures. I do not think they have experts who did that," said Dasturji Feroze Kotwal, a high priest. PARSI POPULACE After Mumbai, Pune is said to have the second highest Parsi population. There are 60,000 Parsis while in Mumbai there are between 35,000 to 40,000 Parsis.

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