Chak Chak | The Zoroastrian Fire-Temple

Chak Chak (pir-e-Sabz) village embraces one of the most important shrines of the Zoroastrians that is located in the Ardakan city of Yazd province and in the heart of the Ardakan and Anjireh mountains. This temple has the highest level of attention and value and attends special days of worship, prayer and fulfillment of its special rules of religion.

Many Zoroastrians from all over the world come and pray in this place in June for five days. Mehregan festival is held at this place every year too.

The history of Chak Chak Fire-Temple

It is believed that Nik Bano fled here under the attack by the invading Arab army in 640 CE. She was the daughter of Yazdgerd III, the last Persian ruler of the Sassanid Empire. The Sassanid Empire was the last imperial dynasty in Persia before the rise of Islam.

It is believed that Nik Bano prayed to Ahura Mazda to protect her from the enemies, since she feared capture. In response to her pleadings, the mountain miraculously opened up and sheltered her from the invaders.

The architecture of Chak Chak

Chak Chak is best known among followers of Zoroastrianism yet frequented by non-Zoroastrians and sightseers and it is located in a shallow cave (a grotto shrine). The fire-temple inside the cave is located at the highest part of the mountain.

The entrance of the cave is reached via many steps and it is worth making the ascent to appreciate the isolation that marks this spot. There is also an old tree in the shrine that according to Zoroastrians’ belief, from the place where Nik Bano’s walking stick dived in to the ground, a green tree appears today which is very sacred to the Zoroastrians.

The interesting and striking point is the emergence of this tree out of stone, which is itself a natural wonder. Temple’s floor has been covered with marble, its roof is covered with stone and the walls are darkened by fires kept eternally burning in the sanctuary. Also, the walls are decorated by the pictures of grand Zoroastrian figures.

The reason of the Chak Chak (Pir-e-Sabz) naming

Chak Chak means drop-drop in Persian. Noble features of Chak Chak include the ever dripping spring located in the mountain. Chak Chak name is derived from the sound of dripping water in the cave. Legend has it that these drops are tears of grief that the mountain sheds in remembrance of Nik Bano, or her own tears of grief.

Entering this holy place has certain customs, as well as other religious shrines and non- Zoroastrians are not allowed to the special annual ceremony.

* Written by  Arefeh Firouzan.