'Keeping the Zoroastrian flame alive'

What do Freddie Mercury and the family that founded Tata Steel have in common?

Apart from global success, they all have links to Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest religions, which is being showcased for the first time at Headstone Manor and Museum in Harrow, north-west London.

Silk saris known as garas, family photographs and sacred heirlooms are being displayed for the first time, helping to bring stories and memories of Zoroastrian migration to life.

Zoroastrianism originated in ancient Persia more than 3,000 years ago.

There are about 5,000 Zoroastrians in the UK and the biggest community is in London.

For younger followers such as Freyan Khambatta and Shazneen Munshi, the faith is still widely misunderstood, despite some well-known followers.

Freyan said: "Growing up as a Zoroastrian in London, I feel like you don't really talk about it as much when you're younger.

"But as I've gotten older, I find it coming up in conversations more."

Freyan added: "I mention to people that the likes of Freddie Mercury are some of our most famous Zoroastrian figures and they actually go 'oh tell me more about it, I'd love to know more about this religion I've never heard of'."

Shazneen agreed: "At school when I told people I was a Zoroastrian some would say 'what did you say? You're a Rastafarian?'

"So there would be a lot of confusion about my religion. But over the years I've been so passionate about keeping the Zoroastrian flame burning for future generations."

The religion is based around Ahura Mazda, who is believed to be the creator and the embodiment of light and goodness.

Malcolm Deboo, President of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, reflected on the long history of the Zoroastrian community in exile.

He said: "Over a thousand years ago my ancestors departed from Iran and sailed to Gujarat in India, where the local king granted us refugee status.

"But like in all stories of migration, he first said that there was no room by showing a bowl of milk.

"But the Zoroastrian priest added sugar crystals to the milk, showing that by giving us refuge we would sweeten the country while also maintaining our identity."

Despite its rich history, there are concerns that the ancient religion could disappear as older generations pass away.

Shiraz Sethna, project lead and curator of the museum's Zoroastrian Stories of Migration section, said she pushed for years for this Zoroastrian display to happen because she feared the community's stories and traditions could be lost as older generations die.

She said: "Every time I would go to a Zoroastrian funeral, I'd think that's another story lost, that's another piece of history lost.

"I wanted to make sure we captured those stories before that generation passes."

As well as objects being displayed at the museum, there is an audio section where older Zoroastrians living in London share stories of migration.

Nawaz Vatcha, who migrated from Mumbai in India to the UK and Ratan Vatcha, who came to Britain from Mombasa in Kenya, took part in the project.

Nawaz said: "I think this project was important for future generations to know our stories.

"We are first generation immigrants, and I'd like to think that our children and grandchildren will have an idea of who we are, where we came from and what our dreams for the future are."

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