579- Towers of Silence

This podcast episode explores the ancient tradition of sky burial practiced by the Parsi community in Mumbai, India. The Parsis believe that the body becomes contaminated with evil upon death and must not come into contact with fire, water, and earth. They have built Towers of Silence where bodies are placed for vultures to consume. However, the vulture population has drastically declined due to factors such as habitat loss and toxic drugs. As a result, the Parsi death ritual and ecological balance have been disrupted, leading to the piling up and rotting of bodies. The absence of vultures has sparked controversy within the community, with some advocating for alternative funeral practices like cremation, while others staunchly oppose it. Efforts to reintroduce vultures and restore the sacred burial ground face challenges from high-rise buildings and changing religious practices. The future of Dungarwadi and the preservation of the Parsi tradition hang in uncertainty.