Bishapur Anahita Temple
One of the famous building of the ancient city of Bishapur in Kazeroun town in Fars province which is related to Anahita (the goddess of water) is Bishapur Anahita Temple. Next to Shapur castle in the ancient valley of Bishapour, there is a large square room known as Temple of Anahita in Bishapur.
Description of Bishapur Temple
Cow which is the symbol for Anahaita who was the goddess of water and resembled fertility was curved in stones in symmetrical positions above the temple. It should be noted that water is one of the four sacred elements in the ancient beliefs and they knew it as a sign of purity which is praiseworthy. So, this temple was a place for admiring water and its goddess in Bishapur. Sassanid Zoroastrian kings held high regards for fire temples and maintained continuous burning fires in their altars.
It is a fascinating building and great system for dividing and controlling water. Bishapur Anahita temple is located in a six meter fovea from the ground and a stairway is connected from it to the castle. This temple is roofless and the purpose of building was to flow the water of Bishapur River which is flowing in the 250 meter distance from it inside the temple and after circling in the bottom of the temple, the water emerged through an aqueduct.
Bishapur Anahita Temple Architecture
This cubic structure is about 14 high and was built with clean cut stones attached together with metal staples inspired by Acheamenid architecture in Sassanid period. Temple of Anahita has no ceiling and was built 6 meters lower than the surface to direct the flow of Shapur river into it. At first the building was mistaken as a palace but later it was figured out that it could only have been a fire temple.
People used to navigate the water of Shapur River to this temple, then control and classified it. Locating more than half of its height underground is an interesting point about the architecture of this temple. Also, hall of ceremonies is placed on the southeastern side of Anahita Temple with an area of 781 square meters. It is a fascinating building not only from architectural point of view but also because of the great system for dividing and controlling water.