Azarakhsh Fire Temple of Darab

Zoroastrians of the Fars Province had established many fire temples. Azarakhsh fire temple is one of these fire temples that was used to perform Zoroastrian rituals. After the advent of Islam in Iran, many fire temples were converted into mosques, and some others turned silent and were abandoned. Azarakhsh fire temple is also considered one of the fire temples that was used as a mosque in a certain period of time.

Features of Azarakhsh Fire Temple

Azarakhsh fire temple was built in the Sassanid era. Some people attribute the establishment of this building to Purandokht, the daughter of Darab Kiani, one of the mythical kings of Iran. According to some historians, this fire temple was originally a temple of Aryan devotees of Mithra and was converted into a fire temple in the Sassanid era. According to some sources, the construction date of this fire temple dates back to the third century AD.

During the reign of Hulegu Khan (1256 to 1265 AD) of the Mongol Ilkhanate Dynasty, a niche was built in the left part of this building by the order of Abu Bakr Sa’d ibn Zangi, the ruler of Fars, following which, it was called the Stone Mosque of Darab. Some historical sources have mentioned the name of this place as “Dokhtar Palace” or “Caravanserai”.

The Architecture of Azarakhsh Fire Temple

This fire temple had been built over an area of 420 square meters and had been completely carved into the mountain. A part of its roof was left open and it has a shallow pool, which was probably used for purifying oneself before starting the rituals.

The general shape of the building is in the form of a cross. A portico can be seen in it, which is surrounded by columns and arched openings. The longest part of the building is its east-west part, which is 20 meters long and extends from the entrance door and the end wall. The entrance part of the building is a vestibule. A room with a vaulted ceiling has been built next to the mosque, which is eight meters long, three meters wide, and nearly two meters high. The construction method of this building makes it look like a room where the guard was stationed.

There is also a mihrab (niche) in this building decorated with muqrans and an inscription in Kufic script, according to which, this building had been turned into a mosque in the Islamic era. This mihrab was created in 652 AH (1254 AD).

Where is Azarakhsh Fire Temple Located?

Azarakhsh temple is located in Darab city, 275 km east of Shiraz. This city, which is several thousand years old, has a population of more than 70 thousand people and is considered the seventh most populated city in Fars province. The old name of this city was “Darabgerd” and during the Seleucid and Parthian periods, semi-independent rulers ruled it under the command of the central government. Darab was conquered by Muslim troops in 23 AH (643 AD).

To see the Azarakhsh Fire Temple of Darab, one needs to move from Darab to Rastaq, which is five kilometers away. The fire temple has been built on the side of the mountain.

There is an old mill near the fire temple that has also been built in the heart of the mountain and is unique in terms of architecture. The mill was created from two large stone pans on top of the mountain, from which water entered and moved the mill wheel.

Azarakhsh Fire Temple of Darab was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 1935.

According to some historians, the Azarakhsh Fire Temple of Darab was originally a temple of Aryan devotees of Mithra and was converted into a fire temple in the Sassanid era.