Athornan Mandal was formed in 1915 by priestly and lay stalwarts such as Dastur Darab Peshotan Sanjana, Dastur Minocher Jamaspji Jamasp Asana, Mr. Jehangirji Vimadalal, Mr. Faredun Dadachanji, and Ervad Mahiyar Nowroji Kutar for the welfare of the priestly class and providing guidance to the Community in religious matters.

Athornan Mandal established the Dadar Athornan Institute (erstwhile Athornan Boarding Madressa) on 9th November, 1919 (Roj: Aneran Mah Ardibahesht 1289 YZ), as a public charitable Institution dedicated to the cause of providing religious as well as secular education to children of the priestly class and train them to be ideal priests who can guide the community. This Institute is a valuable asset to the Parsi community, as it not only keeps alive the traditions and life style of Parsi priests, but from time to time provides full fledged priests to the Community.

Dadar Athornan Institute provides scriptural, religious and ritual training to children of the priestly class along with secular education (upto S.S.C. level) at the Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School Dadar. Boarding, lodging, and allied facilities ie. medicines, books Educational Expenses and stationery are provided absolutely free of cost.

The Annexe building was built in 1990, which houses the Mancherji Joshi Hall, a Library, a Medicare centre and resident quarters for teachers.

This year the Institute is celebrating its centenary year. In its long history of 100 years, more than 500 students have studied at this august Institute. Some of its noteworthy alumni include

a) High Priests like Dasturji Dr. Hormazdyar K. Mirza, Dasturji Kaikobad P. Dastur and Dasturji Khurshed K. Dastur of Udwada, Dasturji Meherji K. Meherji Rana of Navsari and Dasturji Nadirshah P.Unwala of Bangalore.
b) Renowned religious scholars, teachers and educationists such as Er. Rustomji N. Panthaki, Er. Ratansha R. Motafram, Er. Dr. Parvez M. Bajan and Er. Dr. Ramiyar P. Karanjia.
c) Several Boywallas, Panthakis, and Yozdathregar Mobeds like Er. Asfandyar R.Dadachanji, Er. Adil J. Bhesania and Er. Burjor F. Aibada.

The Dadar Athornan Institute is a public charitable Institution funded by donations from philanthropic individuals and Trusts. The accounts are duly audited every year by a reputed firm of Accountants.

Today more than ever, with the regularly increasing rate of inflation, the Institute seeks your support and patronage by way of generous donations, which may be made to particular schemes or earmarked funds.

Sponsoring a student::

The Institute annually incurs an expenses of Rs. 2 lacs per student. A student can be sponsored for a year by a donation of Rs.200,000/- (Rupees Two lac), or by establishing an Endowment Fund of Rs.20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty lac), from which a student can be maintained for his entire term of 10 years. If the sponsorship is in memory of a departed one, the student recites the name of the deceased in regular rituals and prayers. He also prays the Tandarosti of the donor and his/her family.

Part sponsorship of a student, is also possible, which covers just the education (and not the boarding and lodging). It can be done for a donation of Rs.20,000/- per annum.

Annual Baj-Rojgar Ceremonies:

Afringan, Farokhshi, Baj and Stum (on fruits) are performed once a year by students for five years on the rojgar (death anniversary day) of a deceased person, for a donation of Rs.20,000/-

Sponsoring a Meal:

A donor can sponsor a meal for students. On festive occasions, students recite a Tandarosti. On death anniversaries a Stum (on fruits) is recited. The costs are Rs.2200 for a vegetarian meal, and Rs.3,500 for a non-vegetarian meal. Sweet-dishes (pudding, custard, jelly etc.) or ice-cream can be provided for an additional sum of Rs. 800 or Rs.1500 respectively. Annual bookings of meals can also be made. A donor can sponsor a breakfast or evening snack for Rs. 1000 or an outing for Rs.10,000. Owing to continuous inflation, the amount specified above may be revised from time to time.

Other earmarked Funds:

1) General Maintenance Fund: For any Institute related activity.
2) Food Fund
3) Milk Fund
4) Education Fund
5) Book Fund
6) Library Fund
7) Medical Fund: For students’ medical expenses
8) Mobed Amelioration Fund: For providing assistance to practicing and aged Mobeds.
9) Athornan Mandal-WZO Scheme: For giving monthly stipends and related benefits to young Mobeds.

Donations can be made either in cash or by Cheque, favouring Athornan Mandal, and sent to the addresses given below. Donors in India can remit Fund directly as follows: