Zoroastrianism remains the key religion in the community. As part of the religion's heavy focus on worship through the elements, dead bodies are subjected to a sky burial - left atop a mountain for the vultures. However the vulture population of Bombay is dwindling, causing the community to doubt their long-held tradition: "I don’t quite remember when I saw a vulture last. Maybe a few years ago I think. But I do see a lot of bodies just lying there for months on end and it’s polluting the area, it’s polluting the air, it’s not hygienic." Some Parsis believe it is time to change tradition, calling burial and cremation a sign of the modern times. Yet religious leaders are adamant in keeping the tradition. As one religious leader puts it, "In Zoroastrianism [...] there are no choices."

The debate surrounding burials is not the only one affecting the community. Parsis have been traditionally tight-knit, marrying within the community to keep the blood line pure. Those like Smita who marry outside the community are often shunned by the community: "He said all children of women who’ve married out of the community are illegitimate. So those are very, very nasty things that they said about us." A in-depth report looking at one of India's most important and unique communities.

Produced by ABC Australia