Bahram Yazd fire temple

About Bahram Yazd fire temple

Yazd fire temple is the place where Zoroastrian sacred fire is kept in Yazd city and the prayer place of Zoroastrians living in this city. This fire temple dates back to the Pahlavi era. Although the fire that burns in it has been lit for more than 1500 years. In fact, the fire in the Zoroastrian fire temple of Yazd is one of the three ancient and sacred fires of Zoroastrian followers from the Sassanid period, which is still burning brightly.
Yazd Fire Temple is one of the symbols of Yazd city and is a part of the cultural and historical heritage of this ancient city and an example of the coexistence of different religions. This fire temple was registered in the list of national monuments of Iran on September 13, 1999, and it is possible to visit it for tourists.

Zoroastrian Fire Temple of Yazd is one of the must-see places in Yazd, located on Shahid Montazer Qaim Boulevard, Ayatollah Kashani Street.
Address: Yazd Province, Yazd City, Shahid Montazer Ghaem Blvd., Ayatollah Kashani St

Introducing Bahram Yazd Fire Temple

Fire Temple is an example of a Zoroastrian prayer house where fire has a special place and the most important religious prayers such as reciting Avesta and Gathas take place in it and in front of fire. Yazd fire temple is one of these places of worship that is very valuable for Zoroastrians. This place is also known as the fire temple of Varhoram and the holy fire of Varhoram is located in it. The authorities of this valuable Zoroastrian building have assigned the task of keeping the fire of the temple burning to a reliable and trusted person.
Bahram Fire Temple of Yazd was included in the list of national works of Iran on September 13, 1999 with registration number 2431. A group of Zoroastrians did not agree with this issue; Because they said that the entry of tourists to this complex will deprive the worshipers of peace and the purity of this place will be destroyed, which has a high position in the Zoroastrian religion. In any case, due to the high demand of tourists to visit this place, a part of it has been reserved for visitors and today it is among the attractions of Yazd province. Yazd fire temple is inspiring and beautiful in terms of historical and cultural load, as well as in terms of architecture.

The history of the fire of the Bahram temple in Yazd

According to historical writings and quotations, it seems that during the reign of the Sassanid kings, three fire temples were of great glory and importance due to their antiquity: Azar Goshnasab fire temple or Azar Goshasb in Takab city in Takht Sulaiman, Azar Barzin Mehr fire temple in Fashtnaq village, Razavi Khorasan and Karian fire temple or Azar Farnbagh Fire Temple of Karian Fars in Karian village of Joym Larestan.

The fire of Bahram (Verhram) or the fire that is kept in the fire temple of Yazd, has a history of nearly 1500 years, and the main fire is one of the important fire temples of the Sassanid era, Azar Farnbagh, Fars. Unfortunately, the authorities and guardians of this fire were forced to transfer the fire to the great fire temple of the city due to the enemy’s attack on Yazd in the 10th century. But this fire temple was also destroyed and forced the Zoroastrians to move their sacred fire again. They went to a cave in Eshkaft mountain of Yazdan (between Eqda and Parsbanu) and protected the Varahram fire for 30 years from outsiders.

It seems that after that, they were forced to transfer the fire again, and it was protected and guarded for another two centuries to prevent the encroachment of foreigners in the villages where Zoroastrians lived in Yazd. In 1349, a village called Turkabad was built near Ardakan, and most of the Zoroastrians of Yazd, especially Mobdan, moved to that area. The sacred fire was also moved to Turkabad and was kept in Turkabad village for 300 years. Unfortunately, the Zoroastrian community of Turkabad was separated from each other over time, and the holy fire was moved to Sharifabad again and returned to Yazd in 1775. Zoroastrians were forced to keep the sacred fire secretly in a small house in the neighborhood of Yazd (Koi Mobdan).
This issue continued until Reza Shah ordered the construction of Yazd fire temple. Finally Zoroastrians were able to have a place of worship in their dignity. The said fire is kept in a large bronze container inside a glass container and higher than the ground level in a large room and almost away from sunlight.
One person is responsible for keeping the fire burning, known as the Hirbad. He maintains this fire several times a day by adding a piece of dry wood that is more resistant than other woods such as almond and apricot wood. The ash from the fuel has no value and is discharged when needed. Visitors can see this fire from behind the glass; Because human breaths should not come into contact with pure fire.

Architecture of Bahram Yazd fire temple

By examining the buildings that were used as fire temples, we come to the conclusion that since ancient times, fire temples were designed and built without any luxury and glamor and as a simple and holy place. Bahram fire temple, like its counterparts, has a simple and beautiful architecture and design. The design of this place was based on the hierarchy and spatial zoning of Persian fire temples in India; Although it is similar to the buildings of the desert regions of Iran, it has the contemporary architectural patterns of Yazd. This building is located in the center of the yard and is surrounded by evergreen trees. Its height is 21 meters above the ground level and one has to climb eight steps to enter it.
Forohar’s painting and stone capitals have brought special grandeur and beauty to the Bahram fire temple building. These capitals and flowered stones at the bottom of the walls tell about the artistry of the masters and artists of Isfahan province, who after carving the stones in Isfahan, they moved them to Yazd city. Apparently, the tiling of Forohar painting was also done by the artists of Yazd province. Designers and craftsmen have also decorated the walls inside the building with images of Zoroaster and sentences taken from the Avesta Bible, very beautifully and artistically.
A large and circular pond at the entrance of the Atashkode building has given a special beauty to this holy building, which according to the tradition of ponds around the world, its floor is filled with visitors’ coins. It seems that the location of the fire temple in front of a pool of water is one of the characteristics of these places. The sacred fire is kept in a room that the architects built in the center of the building to keep it away from sunlight. Around it, there are rooms for performing prayers and special prayers for Zoroastrians.

Other parts of Bahram Yazd fire temple

Verjavand Hall : In 1939, Mr. Jamshid Amanat built a hall and a reservoir in memory of his wife in the Yazd Fire Temple complex. The hall building was demolished and unusable in 2002 due to old age. Engineer Parviz Verjavand renovated this hall and completed the restoration of the building in the style of old buildings in 2008. He did this in memory of his parents, Dr. Fereydoun Verjavand and Dolat Rostami, and Verjavand’s name remained in the hall.
Currently, Verjavand Hall has become an exhibition where you can learn more about Zoroastrians, their traditions and religious customs. Here, replicas are made, each wearing special clothes. In one corner, your eyes fall on the wedding table and the bride and groom and you read about it, and in another place, you get information about the Nowruz table and the ceremonies of the followers of this religion. You will know Zoroastrian prayer and sedreposhi ritual in this hall and you can understand religious customs.
Yazd Fire Temple Reservoir : Jamshid Amanat also built a reservoir in Zoroastrian fire temple. Today, this reservoir can be visited on the lower floor of Verjavand Hall. In this space and before entering the reservoir, you will come across an exhibition space and you can see the pictures of different photographers on topics related to Zoroastrians.
In the corner of the exhibition hall, you have to go down the stairs to enter the reservoir. The end of this staircase was blocked in the past and people used to use the tap that was installed at the bottom of the water tank. Now this valve and wall have been removed so that tourists can enter the water reservoir. Through the valve above the reservoir, the water of the aqueduct came inside so that people could access it. A number of footprints can be seen on the wall of the reservoir and between the top and the bottom of the valve, which were used for the entry of people in emergency situations.

Etiquette of entering Bahram fire temple in Yazd

Yazd fire temple is a holy place and there are rituals to enter it:

Men and women must be clean when entering this place.
The sanctity of this place among Zoroastrians is like a mosque for
Muslims, and women cannot enter it during certain periods.
When entering, Zoroastrian men wear a white hat and women wear a
white scarf along with a light-colored dress and take off their shoes.
No one should approach the sacred fire; Because human breath pollutes it.

Tips for visiting Bahram Fire Temple in Yazd

To use public transportation, take the buses that pass through Ayatollah Kashani Street. The bus station is located at the entrance of Atash Kadeh.
Do not forget to respect the ideas, beliefs and customs and keep the sanctity of this holy place.
Visitors to this fire temple can see this ever-burning fire from behind the glass wall.
You can visit this collection from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bahram Yazd fire temple is open every day, except holidays.