A fire temple is a sanctuary of Zoroastrianism. A fire temple usually consists of a building with several smaller rooms, the holiest of which houses the sacred fire. Here various rituals are performed and sung. Fire temples are mainly found in Persia (Iran) and western India. In zoroastrianism the fire is considered a cleansing force and is identified with the truth. The first fire temples were probably built in Persia by the Achaemenides, but these are often simple sanctuaries. The Parthians also built fire temples. The flowering period of the temples was during the empire of the Sassanides. Known is the world heritage Takht-E Soleyman in northwestern Iran. With the rise of the Arab Empire and Islam, most fire temples disappeared but there are still active fire temples.
I am Maarten Verhees. The focus of my photographs is on the variation of architecture, animals and people. I try to capture the essence of local places in photographs... Read more…
Netherlands
Germany
Netherlands
Germany
Germany
Netherlands
Netherlands
Germany
Germany
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands