Zoroastrian fire temple in Iran Bashny.Net

Not far from Yazd Zoroastrian sanctuary is Chak-Chak. Although Zoroastrianism originated in eastern Iran, it is now the followers were only ok. 10 000 people, and the Muslims call them infidels. Most of the temples were destroyed, but those that remain, are of great interest to tourists.

Zoroastrianism or Mazdaism, religion, founded in the 8 or 7. BC. reformer of the ancient Iranian religion named Zoroaster. Zoroastrianism continues to exist to this day. In Iran, her followers were only ok. 10,000 people and Muslims call their envelope ("infidels"). Today the community of Zoroastrians (Zartosht) - this is, basically, the Parsis of India and the United States. Rabrosany small communities around the world - Iran, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Canada, Turkey, Afghanistan.

8 ph via Ilya Varlamov





Although the maps Chak-Chak is marked as a village, really no one lives there, except the guard and rare in normal days the pilgrims. Only during religious holidays, a lot of Zoroastrians from all over the world come here. Chak-Chak is located 43 kilometers from Ardakan - a small historic town on the route Tehran-Yazd. To reach the sanctuary is not very easy - the flow of cars to very small, often come here taxis pulling local and foreign tourists. Near Ardakan can also explore the Zoroastrian Tower of Silence.



To the temple feast-e Sabz, carved deep in the mountains, are 320 steps. The Pir Sabz-e is a fire and beats the holy source. According to legend, the appearance of the spring in this place due to the escape from the Arab invasion of the Sasanian princess Nikbanu. A thirsty in the desert, Nikbanu followed the dictates of Ahura Mazda and threw it on the ground of his staff. Where it has done so, he scored the creek. Incidentally, the name of the complex Chuck-Chuck comes from the sound of drops falling on the floor.



In Zoroastrian temples, called in Persian "atashkade" (literally. House fire) burning unquenchable fire, ministers of the house round the clock watch, that he had not gone out. There are temples in which the fire is burning for centuries. Mobeds family who own the sacred fire, fully bear all the costs of the fire and its protection, and are not financially dependent on aid behdinov. The decision to establish a new fire is accepted only in case of availability of funds.



Mobeds are the guardians of the sacred lights and an obligation to protect them by all available means, including by force of arms. This probably explains the fact that after the Islamic conquest of Zoroastrianism quickly fell into decay. Many mobeds were killed defending the lights.



Zoroastrians attach great importance to rituals and ceremonies. The main feature of Zoroastrian rites - the fight against all uncleanness, material and spiritual. Sacred Fire plays a crucial role in Zoroastrianism, for this reason, the Zoroastrians were often called "fire-worshipers", although the Zoroastrians believe this name offensive. They claim that the fire - only the image of God on earth.



Zoroastrian holiday Navruz this day is a national holiday in Kazakhstan (Nowruz), Azerbaijan (Nowruz), Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of the Russian Federation.



Giant Simurg - the sacred bird of Zoroastrianism, is a key element emblem of the rock band Queen. Emblem has developed the group's leader, Freddie Mercury - Parsi by birth, who, as a native of Zanzibar, held the Zoroastrian faith. Giant Gabala is also depicted on the emblem of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and called the bird "Humo" (bird of happiness).

One of the fundamental elements of the video game Prince of Persia (2008) is a simplified version of Zoroastrianism - the personal confrontation between Ormazd and Ahriman.



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