Standing before a sacred fire, Zoroastrians pay homage to a creation that represents life and the power of Ahura Mazda. There are three kinds of sacred fires in Zoroastrianism, each standing for one sector of ancient society: Atash Dadgah, Adur Aduran, and Atash Behram. Atash Dadgah is associated with the householder class and burns in… Continue reading Zoroastrian Fires and Temples
Category: Iran
Naqsh-E-Rustom In Danger Due to Railway Track Construction
Despite all oppositions made so far by Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) against construction of Isfahan-Shiraz railway only in 500-meter distance of Naqsh-e Rostam historic site, based on latest reports some measures have been undertaken for marking the railway path according to its original route. Based on earlier agreements between authorities of… Continue reading Naqsh-E-Rustom In Danger Due to Railway Track Construction
A war is but a loser’s game
by Farrukh Dhondy I can’t remember which teacher it was who ventured to tell us about the Battle of Thermopylae all those years ago. Three hundred Spartans held the pass at the aforesaid place against the invading hordes of the Persian Emperor Xerxes. The 300 of the title faced a million Persians. Our class was… Continue reading A war is but a loser’s game
Microphones, Planes, and Stereotypes: Those behind the Making of 300
Microphones, Planes, and Stereotypes: Those behind the Making of ‘300’ By Touraj Daryaee and Warren Soward, California State University, Fullerton I have been following reactions to the movie ‘300’ and to my article which appeared on Payvand and in the Orange County Register. Of course each of these venues has their own constituency and so… Continue reading Microphones, Planes, and Stereotypes: Those behind the Making of 300
Bistoun Complex: Tourist Destination
Bistoun mountain with its world famous myths is annually visited by a great number of tourists from around the world at the beginning of spring. According to cultural heritage experts, the tablet of Darius is one of the most important and beautiful ancient objects of the world-famous Bistoun Complex. The historical Bistoun Complex, which is… Continue reading Bistoun Complex: Tourist Destination
Discovering the Zoroastrian Temple of Yazd
The historic city of Yazd in central Iran is home to a Zoroastrian temple built nearly 1,500 ago. The holy fire which the Zoroastrians hold sacred is ritualistically preserved in the temple. Its flames have been kept alive for years, the worshippers fastidious in their care to keep the fire burning. The main building of… Continue reading Discovering the Zoroastrian Temple of Yazd
The Islamization of Europe
Excerpt from a longer article here Mary Boyce, Emeritus Professor of Iranian Studies at the University of London, has confirmed the external validity of Bat Ye’or’s analytical approach in her description of how jihad and dhimmitude (without the latter being specifically identified as such) transformed Zoroastrian society in an analogous manner. Boyce has written definitive… Continue reading The Islamization of Europe
