The Tower of Silence, also called a Dakhma, is a very important but quiet and hidden historical place in Kolkata. It is a sacred funeral site used by the Parsi (Zoroastrian) community.
1. स्थापना और पृष्ठभूमि (Establishment & Background)
Parsis came to Kolkata mainly for business and trade. In 1822, a Parsi gentleman named Nowroji Sorabji Bengallee built this Tower of Silence in the Beleghata area.
The place covers around four acres of land and is surrounded by high walls and lots of greenery, making it very peaceful and private.
2. Religious Importance and Process
According to Parsi beliefs, a dead body is considered impure. They believe that earth, fire, and water are sacred, so they do not burn or bury the body.
Instead:
The body is placed on an open platform inside the tower.
Nature takes care of the process—mainly through vultures and other birds.
The remaining bones are collected in a deep central pit (called an ossuary), where they slowly turn into dust over time.
3. Present Situation
Today, this place is highly protected, and public entry is not allowed. It looks like a quiet garden with many trees and a small prayer area.
Lack of vultures: The number of vultures in India has reduced a lot, which has affected this traditional practice.
Alternative method: In some cases, solar concentrators (special solar panels) are used to speed up the natural process using sunlight.
Interesting Fact
Even though the Parsi population in Kolkata is now quite small, they still take great care of this place. It quietly represents the rich cultural diversity of the city.
