Since 1919 the Dadar Athornan Institute has stood here. This institute is dedicated to preserving Parsi priesthood. It offers free education and boarding to children of Parsi priests.
The Athornan Mandal established the Dadar Athornan Institute. It was founded on November 9 1919. The institute was formerly known as the Athornan Boarding Madressa. The aim was to provide religious and secular education. This was for children of the priestly class. The goal was to train them as ideal priests. They could then guide the community.
Initially the Dadar Athornan Institute was in a bungalow at Golanji Hill Parel. Mr. Bomanji Hormasji General donated it. The institute started with 10 students. Ervad Barjorji Erachji Bajan was the first Principal.
In 1924 the institute moved to a larger building in Dadar Parsi Colony. Bai Dhunbaiji Pestonji Hakimji provided the funds. A second floor was added a couple of years later. The Athornan Mandal funded it. The cost was around fifty thousand Rupees.
An annexe building was constructed in 1990. It adjoins the existing building. The Mancherji Joshi Hall is housed here. There is also a library. The library contains books on Indo-Iranian and Zoroastrian subjects. A medicare centre and staff quarters are also in the annexe.
Until 1965 in-house teachers provided secular education. From 1966 students attended Dadar Parsi Youths Assembly High School. This provided secular education up to S.S.C level. The school gives free education to all institute students.
The Dadar Athornan Institute closed in April 1965 due to lack of funds. It reopened in June 1966 under new management. Ervad Rustomji N. Panthaki became the Principal. He and his wife Jalamai guided the institute for almost 30 years. They helped it gain respect in the Zoroastrian community. Rustomji was associated with the institute for almost 70 years. He was a student, teacher and Principal.
Since 1973 college students have been allowed to stay at the Dadar Athornan Institute. Initially they had to study Arts and Avesta-Pahlavi. Since 2005 they can study any stream. They can learn Avesta as an additional language. College students receive free boarding and lodging. They also get college and tuition fees. They perform residential duties and serve as assistant teachers.
The Dadar Athornan Institute provides scriptural, religious and ritual training. This is alongside secular education. The Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School provides this. Boarding lodging medicines books and stationery are free.
The Athornan Mandal launched a W.Z.O. Fund twenty years ago. This encourages young priests to pursue full-time priesthood. The scheme provides monthly stipends to young priests across India.
The Dadar Athornan Institute has a computer room. Students use it for education and recreation. The institute organizes educational and recreational outings. These include treks hikes camps and picnics. Sports activities include football. There are indoor games like table-tennis carrom and chess. Outdoor games include volley-ball basketball and cricket. A children’s park is also on the campus.
More than 500 students have studied at the Dadar Athornan Institute. Alumni include high priests and renowned scholars. Students come from all over India.
The Dadar Athornan Institute celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1971. Its Platinum Jubilee was in 1994. The institute provides enlightened clergy for the Parsi community.
In 2019 the Dadar Athornan Institute completed 100 years of service. It continues to light lamps of devotion and learning. It inspires young priests to tend holy fires worldwide. The Dadar Athornan Institute relies on donations. It seeks support to continue its work.