Yazd Fire Temple
Aren’t you interested in seeing the sanctified fire that nearly belonged to two thousand years ago? If you are eager to experience this holy adventure, the Yazd Fire Temple in the legendary city of Yazd awaits you. Yazd is a religious city and hosts several different holy places, especially grand mosques and Zoroastrian temples including the famous holy Fire Temple that belongs to antiquity. Reflecting the civilized culture of ancient Iran, the Yazd Fire Temple has been attracting millions of national and international tourists so far. This holy place is known as Atashkadeh-e-Yazd or Atash Behram of Yazd. This building is 21 meters in height and has a beautiful pond in front of the entrance door in the core part of the front yard. This very type of architecture is a necessary part of the style in every old fire temple. Around the building, there are lovely fruit trees that have created a pleasing shade for the visitors.
On top of the front roof, there is a jagged curve with a big wall engraving of the Zoroastrian winged deity of Ahura Mazda that is called ‘Farvahar’ in Persian culture. This jagged-modeled construction of the Yazd Fire Temple is the typical symbol of the Achaemenid building design. It is worth mentioning that this holy place is the main Zoroastrian temple in Iran where the Zoroastrians perform their religious practices close to its holy fire. Historically speaking, the date that the construction of the building was finalized was 1934, and that is reflected in the shrine’s inscription. The building was funded by the Association of Parsi Zoroastrians of India and Master Jamshid Amanat was the supervisor of its building project.
Although the building itself is relatively modern, the fire that is in the building belongs to the antique time. The fire dates back to 470 AD, during the Sassanid dynasty in Iran. During that time, the fire was kept in another temple called Pars Karyan which was located in the southern part of Larestan, in its Pars district. Again, the fire moved to Aqda and remained there for the next 700 years to be shifted to another temple in 1173 that was called Nahid-e Pars in the vicinity of Ardakan. After the passage of 300 years, the holy fire was finally moved to the lodging place of the revered Zoroastrian priest in Yazd. Years later, the present building was specially constructed for it in 1934 as Yazd Fire Temple.
It is so amazing that the fire nearly occurred 2,000 years ago. This means that the fire has been burning from 470 AD till now. It sounds very surprising that from that time onward, the fire has been continuously burning by the devoted protection of the faithful Magi. The fact that they have been loyally keeping the fire without letting it fail sounds admirable. Although seeing this holy fire is so spectacular, no ordinary visitor is allowed to enter the fire altar. Only Zoroastrians can enter the sanctuary. The good news is that the visitors can see that amazing fire behind the glass and look at the Behram Fire burning lively in the big bronze vase as much as they want and become amazed by its ancient majesty. Although it is so specific, it is not just one and the only in its type. There are universally nine Behram or “vanquishing fire”. The eight triumphant fires are kept in India. The reason why these holy fires are considered unique is that they have been thought to be sacred by many different authentic sources.
From Yazd Airport, it is about six kilometers to Ayatollah Kashani Avenue where the fire temple is located. From this point on, you can also access other interesting tourist spots like Markar Clock Tower, Dowlat Abad Garden, and Amir Chakhmaq Complex, since you are already in the core of Yazd’s historical area. The external building facade of the Fire Temple is symbolically representative of the spirit of Zoroastrianism not just in its use of the colors deemed as holy and heavenly but also in the usage of Zoroastrian ethical adages.
These proverbs are pious speech, pious behavior, and pious deeds inscribed on azure blue tiles surrounding the statue of Ahura Mazda. The white stone columns look different from other ancient arches as their heads surprisingly look like sacred fire urns. The fact that the building is a combination of natural bricks and white plaster is again reminiscent of the Zoroastrian spirit of purity and decency. The serenity of the front pool with its greenish-blue water and the reflection of the white columns of the veranda also symbolizes the peace of Zoroastrian beliefs.
After visiting the Yazd Fire Temple, tourists can enjoy the delicious tastes of the great Yazd restaurants that generously offer visitors both local and national delicious Persian foods. Among those restaurants, one can proudly mention Shater Abbas, Sahel, and Shaghayegh restaurants. More importantly, to stay somewhere near the temple, whether before or after the visit, the tourists can especially use traditional hotels that would give them an unforgettable experience of living a Traditional life. Some traditional-style hotels are three-star like Dohad, Morshed Garden, Vali, and Lab e Khandaq traditional hotels.
There are also other great choices including luxurious hotels with traditional style settings and decorations like Malek-o-Tojjar Hotel which provides tourists with an all-inclusive royal accommodation with a surreal stay. For those who are more easygoing, Backpack Hostel will be another great choice. Describing the majesty of the traditional hotels is impossible indeed. One can only mention that they shine like a gem under the moonlit, starry sky of the desert land. Last but not least, is the knowledge that every visitor can gain while visiting the temple. Every visitor will learn sufficient information about the Zoroastrian religion and the rich history behind it. In addition to the explanations, the museum that is located in the temple reflects the significance of fire in this religion which signifies the truth as a symbol of God.