Overview of Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is among the world's oldest living religions, founded on the teachings of the prophet Zarathushtra, known to the Greeks as Zoroaster. Scholars debate his dates, but his hymns, the Gathas, are written in a very archaic Iranian language. He proclaimed Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, as the supreme creator and called on people to choose between truth, called asha, and falsehood, called druj. This emphasis on moral choice is the heart of the faith.
Zoroastrianism was the state religion of three great Persian empires, the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian, and influenced ideas about angels, judgment and the end of time in later religions. After the Arab conquest of Iran in the seventh century, the community gradually declined. Some Zoroastrians migrated to western India, where they became known as Parsis, while a smaller community, sometimes called Iranis, remained in Iran, especially around Yazd and Kerman.
Fire is the central symbol of worship, representing the light and purity of Ahura Mazda rather than a god in itself. Consecrated fires burn continuously in fire temples, some for many centuries. Today, small but vibrant communities live in Mumbai, Iran, North America, Britain and Australia. Travelers can visit the ancient Towers of Silence near Yazd, the fire temple where a flame has reportedly burned since the fifth century, and Parsi neighborhoods rich in history and cuisine.
Core beliefs
- Ahura Mazda is the wise and good creator of the world.
- Humans have free will to choose between good and evil.
- Good thoughts, good words and good deeds are the core ethical principles.
- Truth and order, called asha, must be upheld against falsehood.
- Souls are judged after death at the Chinvat Bridge.
- At the end of time, good will triumph and the world will be renewed.
Practices and worship
- Prayer before a sacred fire, the symbol of divine light.
- Wearing the sudreh shirt and kusti cord after initiation.
- The navjote initiation ceremony for children.
- Daily prayers, often recited in the ancient Avestan language.
- Ritual purity and care for earth, water and fire.
- Seasonal feasts called gahambars.
Pilgrimage in Zoroastrianism
Iran holds the most important Zoroastrian pilgrimage sites. Pir-e Sabz, also called Chak Chak, is a mountain shrine near Yazd where pilgrims gather each June. Yazd's Atash Behram fire temple houses a flame said to have burned for over 1,500 years. In India, the Iranshah Atash Behram at Udvada in Gujarat is the oldest continuously burning fire temple of the Parsis and the community's main pilgrimage destination. Ruins of Takht-e Soleyman and Naqsh-e Rostam recall imperial times.
Major festivals
| Festival | When | About |
|---|---|---|
| Nowruz | Spring equinox, around 21 March | The Persian New Year, with deep Zoroastrian roots, celebrated with family visits and a table of symbolic items. |
| Khordad Sal | Varies by calendar, often August or March | Celebrates the birth of Zarathushtra with prayers and gatherings. |
| Sadeh | Late January | A midwinter fire festival, celebrated in Iran with large bonfires to honor the discovery of fire. |
| Mehregan | Early October | An autumn festival honoring Mithra and the values of friendship and covenant. |
Etiquette for visitors
- Many fire temples in India admit only Zoroastrians; view them respectfully from outside.
- In Iran, visitors can often see the sacred fire through a glass window.
- Cover your head in prayer areas when asked.
- Do not blow on or throw anything into a sacred fire.
- Avoid photographing people at prayer without permission.
- Treat Towers of Silence as funerary sites, even when no longer in use.
Map of Zoroastrianism sacred sites
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Zoroastrians visit fire temples?
In India, most fire temples are closed to non-Zoroastrians. In Yazd, Iran, visitors can enter the Atash Behram building and view the fire through glass.
What are the Towers of Silence?
They are circular structures where Zoroastrians traditionally exposed the dead to birds, to avoid polluting earth and fire. The towers near Yazd are no longer used and can be visited.
Where do most Zoroastrians live today?
The largest communities are in India, especially Mumbai, and in Iran. There are also growing diaspora communities in North America, the UK and Australia.
