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When Lord Swaminarayan visited Surat in 1881, he presented his turban and Shriphal to the Parsi Kotwal Ardesar. The hat has been with a Parsi family for 199 years
The hat is shown every year for darshan to Bhai Dooj. (Location 18)
A crowd of devotees gathered at Bhai Dooj in Ghodapur to view the turban given by Lord Swaminarayan 200 years ago.
When Swaminarayan visited Surat in 1881, he presented his turban again Shriphal to Parsi Kotwal Ardesar. This hat has remained with a Parsi family for 199 years, protected with great care. Believing the presence of the ascetic is with them, the family participates willingly darshan of the hat and other devotees as well.
Significance of Swaminarayan’s Turban
The tradition behind the hat is based on the visit of Lord Swaminarayan to Surat in 1881. After staying for a while, the yogi, pleased with the service of Ardesar Kotwal, gave Shriphal and his hat to the Kotwal before leaving on Magshar Sud Trayodashi of Samvat 1881.
The mantle was passed on to Ardesar’s son Jahangirshah, but after his untimely death, it was given to Sorabji Adalji Wadia by Jahangirshah’s widow, Doshibai Kotwal. Now, the third generation, represented by Tehmasp and his son Kershasp, continues to preserve the helmet with devotion.
Embrace Swaminarayanism
Hailing from the Parsi community, this family has in recent years embraced Swaminarayanism alongside their faith. The Wadia family, who live in Syedpura, have dedicated a separate room for ‘Pag‘ (hat). Safely stored in a wooden box, the hat is displayed every year darshan to Bhai Beej (Bhai Dooj).
The family also conducts daily worship Pag. They respect the turban of Shreeji Bhagwan, wearing it janaoi (sacred thread) of the Parsi religion and the With me or Shreeji.
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