1. 1.Principles of Ahimsa: Non-Violence as a Way of Life

At the core of Jainism lies the principle of Ahimsa, or non-violence. Jains believe in the sacredness of all living beings, promoting a lifestyle that minimizes harm to any form of life. This commitment to non-violence extends not only to actions but also to thoughts and words, emphasizing the profound impact of our choices on the well-being of others.

One of the world’s tiniest but most animated religious minorities is the Parsi community, who are devoted to a religion called Zoroastrianism. Originating from Persia (modern-day Iran), Parsis have a rich history and cultural heritage. Among their religious practices is Dare Meher or Fire Temple, a place of worship with significant importance in it. This essay provides an insight into the history, architecture, religious significance, and issues around the preservation of Dare Meher highlighting attempts to uphold this vital part of Parsi heritage.

Historical Background of Zoroastrianism and the Parsi:

Origins and Migration:Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest monotheistic religions on earth founded by the prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) over 3000 years ago in ancient Persia. Before being persecuted during the Islamic conquest in the 7th century, this religion thrived in Persia. Fleeing persecution, some Zoroastrians migrated to India around the eighth century where they were referred to as Parsis which means “Persian”.

Indian Establishment: The Parsi settled primarily in Gujarat and later in Mumbai (then called Bombay) when they arrived in India. Upon their arrival, indigenous rulers offered them refuge on the condition that they adapt themselves to local customs while holding onto their religious practices. They have made substantial contributions to Indian culture, society as well as economy for centuries and at the same time maintained a separate religious identity.

Importance of Dare Meher in Zoroastrian Worship

Role of Fire in Zoroastrianism: For instance, fire represents purity, veracity, and the presence of Ahura Mazda, who is also the most superior power among all other deities. It’s believed that it’s sacred and an indispensable part of all religious rites. The fires are kept perpetually burning in Fire Temples with much reverence being paid to them through prayers and rituals conducted before them.

Different Kinds of Fire Temples:In Zoroastrian worship, there are three grades of fire housed within different types of Fire Temples:

• Atash Dadgah: this is the simplest form where any Parsi can look after it
•  Atash Adaran: This takes a Zoroastrian priest for it to be placed at this grade. 
• Atash Behram: this is the highest rank which requires elaborate rituals maintained by high priests. There are only nine Atash Behrams throughout the world; eight exist in India while one exists still exists in Iran.

ईसाई और इस्लाम धर्म से पूर्व बौद्ध धर्म की उत्पत्ति हुई थी। उक्त दोनों धर्म के बाद यह दुनिया का तीसरा सबसे बड़ा धर्म है। इस धर्म को मानने वाले ज्यादातर चीन, जापान, कोरिया, थाईलैंड, कंबोडिया, श्रीलंका, नेपाल, भूटान और भारत आदि देशों में रहते हैं।

गुप्तकाल में यह धर्म यूनान, अफगानिस्तान और अरब के कई हिस्सों में फैल गया था किंतु ईसाई और इस्लाम के प्रभाव के चलते इस धर्म को मानने वाले लोग उक्त इलाकों में अब नहीं के बराबर ही है।

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and fasting throughout its duration — abstaining from all food and drink from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib) — is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory for every healthy adult Muslim who has reached puberty. For 29 to 30 days each year, more than two billion Muslims worldwide engage in what clinical researchers increasingly recognise as one of the world's largest natural experiments in time-restricted eating.

But Ramadan fasting is not primarily a health intervention. It is a spiritual practice — a month of elevated prayer, Quranic recitation, charity (Zakat and Sadaqah), self-discipline, and communal worship. The health dimension, however, is real and increasingly well-documented. A growing body of peer-reviewed research has examined what happens to the body during a month of diurnal intermittent fasting, and the findings — with appropriate caveats — are largely positive for metabolically healthy individuals.

This guide covers the biology, the benefits, the real risks, and the practical nutrition strategy for a healthy and fulfilling Ramadan fast.

Transcendental Meditation is simultaneously the most researched meditation technique in the world and the most misunderstood. It has more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific studies documenting its effects on everything from cardiovascular health to cognitive performance to post-traumatic stress disorder. It is practiced by Ray Dalio, who calls it the single biggest influence on his life. It was taught to the Beatles by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh in 1968, an event that introduced the practice to the Western world at scale. And yet most people who have heard of Transcendental Meditation have a fundamentally inaccurate picture of what it actually is, how it works, and why it produces the specific effects that practitioners and researchers consistently document.

गुप्तेश्वर गुफा एक चूने के पत्थर की गुफा है, यह गुफा भगवान् शिव को समर्पित है।