Yazd is one of the major cities of Iran, which is famous in Iran for the presence of its Zoroastrian residents. This city is located in a plain called Yazd-Ardakan and between the Shir Kuh mountain chains. The fascinating ancient antiquities of this city and especially its buildings made of adobe and mud have doubled its popularity among tourists. Varahram Fire Temple is one of the historical monuments of Yazd, which was added to the national heritage list of Iran in 1999.
This Fire Temple of Yazd is located on Ayatollah Kashani Street and is still open to the public. It is visited by tourists as the most famous Zoroastrian temple in the world.
Varahram Fire Temple’s Construction History
The standing fire temple was built in 1934 with the cooperation of Zoroastrians of Yazd and Parsis (Persians) of India. Therefore, it dates back to the first Pahlavi period (the era of Reza Shah).
Some Yazd Zoroastrians (Amanat brothers) endowed the plot of land they inherited from their father (Ardeshir Mehraban Rostam Amanat) for the construction of the fire temple. They did not have enough capital to build it.
Therefore, one of the brothers named Arbab Jamshid Amanat collected the cost of building the fire temple from the Parsis population of India over the course of five trips. The cost of construction was covered by a person named Hamabaei from Parsis Zoroastrians. Arbab Jamshid was in charge of monitoring and supervising the construction of the fire temple building.
Cultural Significance of Fire Temple of Yazd
In the past, people did not have the means to light a fire (matches or lighters). Therefore, once they had lit a fire, they had to keep it burning in order to use it in times of need. Later, they guarded this lasting fire in a place called a fire temple.
People used to go to fire temples to light a torch with the fire and ignite their stoves with it. The man of the family was responsible for bringing the fire. For this reason, in the past, even when the family went on a trip, the man of the family would take an ember from the fire inside the house to fulfill the needs of the family at all times. When they returned home, the fire was transferred to the brazier inside the house.
The significance of fire, which was a symbol of divine light, was so great in people’s lives that made the fire temple a sacred place. These fire temples had a special place among the people. They stood in front of its fire and praised Ahura Mazda (God of Zoroastrianism). That is the origin of Zoroastrian rituals and prayer ceremonies.
The Architectural Features of Varahram Fire Temple
Varahram fire temple was built with the influence of the Achaemenians architectural style present in Persepolis and the architectural style of the Parsis ethnoreligious group in India. The main features of the Varahram fire temple include the absence of excessive decorations and preserving the principle of simplicity in the construction of the building.
The fire temple is located in the middle of a large yard with evergreen cypress and pine trees. Among the beauties of Varahram Fire Temple, we can mention the image of Fravashi (the essence of life) and its stone pillar capitals that give it a memorable impression.
The capitals along with the ornamented stones that are located at the base of the main hall walls are the work of architects from Isfahan. The painting of Fravashi, which is placed above the entrance gate, is the work of architects from Yazd.
In accordance with Zoroastrian beliefs, most fire temples were built near water. Therefore, to comply with this principle, a water fountain has been installed in front of the fire temple. This circular fountain is located at the entrance of the temple.
After walking through the courtyard, we will reach the fire temple building, which has an iwan (porch) before the entrance. After climbing the stairs and passing through the iwan, we enter the fire temple building. There are images attributed to Zoroaster and sentences from the holy Zoroastrian book (Avesta) on the main hall walls. Also, there is a small room with a glass wall adjacent to the main hall where the sacred fire is preserved.
The History of the Holy Fire
After relocating this fire to different places, they moved it to the Varahram fire temple. The fire temple of Yazd was initially moved from the Nahid fire temple in Pars to “Haftad Dar” village in Aqda. Then from there, it was taken to Turkabad in Ardakan. After 30 years of safekeeping in Eshkaft Yazdan Cave, it was transferred to Yazd. Also, this sacred fire was kept in the Mobadan (Zoroastrian) neighborhood of Yazd and then it was transferred to the Varahram fire temple.
This fire is kept inside a brass brazier. The brazier is kept in a special room and the person appointed as Hirbad (a minor title for Zoroastrian priests) is responsible for keeping the fire on. The fire of Varahram has been ablaze for many years. The Herbad always keeps it on by adding fuel to the fire.
Because of its sanctity, this fire should not be placed on the ground and it must be placed on a higher level. Also, this fire should be located in a place away from wind, rain, and sunlight. For this purpose, they created a stand with a height of 1.40 meters inside the room which holds the brazier.
Traditions of Entering the Fire Temple
Entering the Fire Temple requires following certain customs and traditions, which we will explain:
- Hygiene: First of all, those who intend to enter the fire temple must observe hygiene and sanitary norms when entering the temple.
- Wearing white clothes: It is mandatory to wear white clothes to enter the fire temple. In addition to clothes, men should enter the fire temple putting on a white hat and women a white scarf.
- Not wearing shoes: It is better to take off your shoes to enter any holy place, including mosques and fire temples.
Visit The Fire Temple of Yazd & its Permanent Cultural Exhibition
Varahram fire temple is one of the historical monuments of Yazd and is among the sacred places of Zoroastrians. This fire temple is built with such beauty thanks to the use of two architectural styles. That’s one of the reasons it attracts so many tourists from home and abroad every year.
If you travel to Yazd on an Iran tour package or by yourself, visit this historical attraction. You can see the sacred fire inside the building through a glass wall. After this visit, be sure to visit the adjacent building to see the permanent cultural exhibition related to the livelihood of Zoroastrians and their customs and traditions.
Destination Iran invites you to visit The Fire Temple of Yazd and find out about more destinations in our blogs about Yazd tourist attractions.
Where is the Varahram fire temple of Yazd?
This fire temple, which is the most famous Zoroastrian temple in the world, is located on Ayatollah Kashani Street in Yazd, between Basij Boulevard and Bahman Hospital. You can see the location of this fire temple below:
Frequently Asked Questions About Varahram Fire Temple
To find answers to your other questions, you can contact us through the comments section of this post. We will answer your questions as soon as possible.
When was the Varahram fire temple built?
The current building of the fire temple was built in 1313.
Who built the Fire Temple of Yazd?
It was built with the cooperation of the Zoroastrians of Yazd and the Parsis of India, which took place in the first Pahlavi period.
What is the reason for the water fountain in Varahram fire temple?
According to Zoroastrian belief, fire temples should be built near water; For this reason, a water fountain has been built in the courtyard of the Varahram fire temple.
What style of architecture inspired the architecture of the fire temple of Yazd?
Varahram fire temple was built inspired by Achaemenid architectural style present in the construction of Takht Jamshid (Persepolis), as well as the architectural style of the Parsis in India. In the construction of the fire temple, it was based on simplicity and no special decorations are seen in the building.
How many years has the fire of Varahram temple been burning?
This fire has been burning for 1500 years and has traveled a long way to reach the Varahram fire temple. It was first taken from the Nahid Pars fire temple. It was relocated many times and eventually brought to the Varahram temple after the reconstruction in 1934 and continues to burn today.
What is the fuel used in Fire Temple of Yazd?
The Zoroastrian priest responsible for guarding the fire is called “Herbad” who puts pieces of dry and resistant almond or apricot timber in the brazier every day. Unlike some fire temples that are powered by gas, Varahram fire temple in Yazd is kept burning with firewood.
How are the prayer rituals in the Fire Temple of Yazd?
The most important religious prayers, including the recital of the Avesta and the Gathas, take place in front of the fire in Varahram fire temple, which is a Zoroastrian prayer place.
It is interesting to know that Zoroastrians do not gather for prayer on a specific day and generally, their prayer ceremonies are not in groups.
