Adaptation of Sacred Land

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Abandoned Dungravadi lands once used for sacred Parsi rituals now house defunct towers being repurposed for modern uses like storing oil seeds and generating solar energy. The declining Parsi population has led to a loss of priests to perform traditional death rituals. It is a stark reminder of how quickly traditions can be forgotten and how a whole generation may lose touch with ancient practices, such as the disappearance of vultures, once abundant in the area.

Situated right in downtown Mumbai, India is an area of about 55 acres of dense, overgrown forest. In one of the most populous cities in the world, this is a place where peacocks roam freely -- a space out of time. This forest is protected by a religious community. It has survived in a relatively undeveloped state in the middle of this gargantuan city. Importantly, it’s also home to an ancient tradition in crisis -- one that is central to the lives (and deaths) of a particular population.

There’s a certain point in this forest beyond which almost no one can step -- only special caretakers of these grounds can go any further. They go by many names: khandia, nassassalar, pallbearer, corpse bearer. Their work here is holy. They carry dead bodies to their final resting place – atop stone structures that stand gray against the lush green. These buildings are called Towers of Silence.

Towers of Silence

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