Zoroastrian Fire Temple Yazd
Atashkadeh in Zoroastrianism, also known as a Atroshan or Agiary, is the place of worship for Zoroastrian in Yazd city that also known as Zoroastrian Fire Temple. In the Zoroastrian religion, fire, together with clean water are agents of ritual purity. Since fire is a symbol of truth and light for Zoroastrians, there is an ever burning fire in the middle of all fire temples. Fire is a sacred elements for Zoroastrians and they revere fire in different forms.
Description
In the middle of a large garden, the main building of fire temple is located and also surrounded by pine, cedar and cypress trees and you can observe a pool ahead of the entrance to the building. There are a Farvahar and the adorned stone columns above the main entrance of the temple, which walls and Farvahar are the work of craftsmen from Isfahan and then transported the finished stones to Yazd.
Inside of bronze vessel there is a fire but it is visible only from behind a glass wall. The Zoroastrian Fire Temple is for only priests that they may enter the innermost sanctum. These days, the fire temple is a tourist destination, especially during Norouz and it is interesting for all religion people.
History of Zoroastrian Fire Temple
Though the history of Zorastrianism dates back to centuries BC, the glorious days of it refers to Sassanian period. It was built in 1934 and enshrines the Atash Behram/Bahram, meaning “Victorious Fire”. It is one of the nine Atash Behrams, the only one of the highest grade fire in Iran where Zoroastrians have practiced their religion since 400 BC; the other eight Atash Behrams are in India. The fire inside is said to have been burning since about 470 AD which is visible through a window from the entrance hall. The flame was transferred to Ardakan in 1174, then to Yazd in 1474 and to its present site in 1940.
Zoroastrianism culture
In Zoroastrianism, human life indicates a struggle between good and evil, truth and falsity, light and darkness. That is why fire is sacred and respected as the symbol of truth and honesty. Though Zoroastrianism has roots in 6th BC, it entered recorded history in 5th BC.
Symbolic Bird-Man
Above the entrance of this building, there is symbolic bird-man which is symbol of Zoroaster. One hand holds a ring, which symbolizes loyalty, while the other hand is held up to indicate respect. The wings have three layers of feather, reflecting the Zoroastrian belief that you should think, speak and act decently.