Overview:

Ateshgah Fire Temple is an ancient Zoroastrian temple located in Surakhani, Azerbaijan. The temple is situated on the south-east end of the settlement and is surrounded by a wall. The temple is believed to be constructed in the 17th century, by Indian merchants and devotees of the Hindu and Zoroastrian faiths. It features four arch shaped doors and an interior consisting of 20 independent cells, designed for pilgrims to stay. Inside the temple, visitors can witness an altar and two fire pits, which represent the spirit of Zoroastrianism and the Hindu god, Agni. The temple has been declared a state historical and cultural reserve and has been open to visitors since 1997. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Azerbaijan
Prominent Features:

1. Central Fireplace: The main attraction at Ateshgah Fire Temple is the central fireplace. This Eye-catching feature has most likely been in existence since the 16th century. 2. Sati Stones: The temple walls are decorated with a series of stone tablets, locally known as “Sati Stones”, which denote the handing over of the temple to local trustees by the ruling Safavid rulers of Persia in 1612 AD. 3. Shahid Gate: The entrance to the temple is marked by a magnificent gate called the “Shahid Gate”. This gate was built around the 18th century and gives the visitors a grand view of the temple complex. 4. Frescoes: The inner walls of the temple have frescoes which still exist intact, depicting animals, sacred fire, and a series of Zoroastrian symbols. 5. Fire Worship Pavilions: The temple has several small fire worship pavilions spread across the complex, which were built to facilitate the worshipping of the sacred fire by pilgrims. 6. Museum: The temple also houses a small museum with ancient artifacts and articles on Zoroastrianism. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Azerbaijan.

History:

Ateshgah Fire Temple is an old Zoroastrian fire temple located in the suburbs of Surakhani in Azerbaijan. It was built between the 17th and 18th centuries and is believed to have been used as a holy destination for worshipping the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. The historical roots of this chapel can be traced as far back as the 17th century when wandering traders used it as a place of refuge after completing their long journeys. At some stage, local people started to consider it a holy place, believing that the fire which burned there was special and was guarded by spiritual warriors. The temple was destroyed during the Russo-Persian wars; however, it was restored in the 1820s by a small group of devotees of the Zoroastrian religion. In the 19th century, it was known as the ‘Temple of Fire-Worshippers’ and attracted visitors from far and wide. At this point, around 6000 people began to inhabit this area. In the late 19th century, the temple was recognised as a national monument of Azerbaijan by the Soviet authorities and was officially named ‘Ateshgah Fire Temple’. In recent years, the Ateshgah Fire Temple has become a popular tourist attraction, with more and more visitors coming each year to admire the beautiful architecture and to learn about the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. The temple has been well-protected since its designation as a national monument, and remains a visually impressive testament to Azerbaijan’s rich cultural history. It is the only existing fire temple in the region and is testament to Azerbaijan’s rich cultural history. Visit one of the famous monuments of Azerbaijan with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Ateshgah Fire Temple in Surakhani, Azerbaijan, is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Zoroastrian faith. 2. The temple is believed to be located on the site of a naturally occurring eternal flame that was used by Zoroastrian pilgrims in the 19th century. 3. The temple was built in the 17th century or earlier and is decorated with inscriptions in Sanskrit, Hindi and Persian. 4. The temple features a large fire pit at the center, as well as stone walls and an altar. 5. The fire pit is still lit today with natural gas that is supplied through a pipeline from nearby Baku. 6. The temple has no roof, so it can easily be seen from the outside. 7. The temple is surrounded by courtyard walls and several octagonal towers. 8. It is believed that the temple originally contained religious artifacts such as idols and manuscripts, which were destroyed by invading forces over the centuries. 9. The temple has been a tourist attraction for more than 100 years and is featured in many travel guides. 10. The temple underwent major renovations in the 1970s and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of the historical monuments of Azerbaijan, it tells the story of a bygone era