Seth Pestonji Meherji Dar-e-Meher: All you want to know about 178-year-old fire temple in Secunderabad

The Seth Viccaji Meherji and Seth Pestonji Meherji Dar-e-Meher is the oldest Parsi Fire Temple in Secunderabad. It was consecrated on 12th September 1847. It celebrated its 178th anniversary on 30 July 2025.

The Agiary or Fire Temple compound has residential quarters and commercial shops too. The Trustee, Captain Kayarmin Pestonji, takes a keen interest in the working of this Fire Temple, and he knows every detail of the rich history behind this heritage building in the heart of Secunderabad. This fire temple was the recipient in 1999 of the INTACH award, which is given to remarkable heritage buildings.

Rich History

Two brothers, Pestonji Meherji (1783-1854) and Viccaji Meherji (1798-1853), built this Fire Temple. They were originally bankers and cotton traders from Bombay who were doing business in Latur and Sholapur. Around 190 years ago, the Nizam of the time asked them to trade in Hyderabad. The Hyderabad-Mumbai (then Bombay) cotton trade used 500 bullock carts a year. The number soon became 5 lakh bullock carts annually. The trade peaked 160 years ago as tonnes of cotton were being exported to Manchester, England. The two brothers also constructed hundreds of miles of roads, bridges, and travellers’ bungalows where fatigued travellers could rest. In all the bungalows were plaques with the inscribed words, ‘For the Tired Traveller with God’s Blessing.’ There was no mention of the brothers’ names on these plaques, as they knew charity did not need any advertisement.

The Nizam had borrowed Rs 40 lakhs from the two brothers in order to maintain the troops provided to him by the British Army in order to protect himself from Tipu Sultan and the French soldiers. At that time, instead of paying the half percent interest annually, the Nizam granted the brothers a big ‘Jagir’ in the form of properties.

Coins minted

A board displaying the picture and history of the coins minted is displayed on the veranda of the fire temple. The Meherji brothers were the only Parsi family in the world to have minted their currency in the Nizam’s mint at Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The coin was called the ‘Pestonshai Sicca’, and Seth Pestonji Meherji was allowed to insert his initials on the coin. It was one of the most attractive-looking coins struck, both in design and purity of metal, during the mid-19th Century. More than one crore such silver and copper coins were struck from 1832 to 1842. Today, only a few original coins remain with the descendants of the family, and four of these coins are on display in the British Museum in London.

Prayer and Felicitation

To commemorate the 178th anniversary, a Jashan or Prayer was held. The PZASH (Parsi Zoroastrian Anjum of Secunderabad and Hyderabad) President, Khoty Chenai, was felicitated after the prayer for her stellar and selfless service to the Parsi community.

KairahPestonji, the poised young granddaughter of Kayarmin Pestonji, in her wonderful speech, thanked Chenai for her 35 years of service, first in her capacity as a Trustee and now as the President of PZASH. She complimented Chenai on her “remarkable elegance, grace and unwavering dedication” to the Zoroastrian community and wished 95-year-old Chenai “continued good health.”

Chenai said that she was deeply touched by the gesture.

Sumptuous Snacks were served after the prayer and felicitation ceremony. The event was very well attended by Zoroastrians of the twin cities. The icing on the cake was the sight of splendidly maintained vintage cars lined up in the compound of the fire temple.