We are in Chak Chak temple, which is also called Pir Sabz or Green Old Man. This is a place for worshipping Ahura Mazda according to old notions of our nation. Chak chak temple which we see here is one of the old temples of Zoroastrians, in Yazd province. The history of temples of the Iranian nation goes back to when Iranians praised natural elements like the sunlight and Anahita, which was the symbol of clean water, instead of worshipping idols. They knew that if they went to a high place, they could see the sunlight better and earlier. Therefore, most temples of the Iranian nation are located on mountains, especially where the water ejects out of the mountain and it is the mountain that, in fact, gives birth to that water.
They praised the goddess, Anahita along with the light of sun, which was called Mehr and they sang hymns to praise sunlight.

This temple, which is known as Pir-e Sabz, refers to greenery which has grown in the heart of the desert and this place is called Chak Chak because this is a place where the water drips down from the mountain. This temple dates back to when the Iranian nation praised sunlight and also worshiped God every morning and every sunset. The water which gushes out of the mountain creates life in its surroundings.
This temple attracts Zoroastrians from Iran and elsewhere in the world who come here in June and stay here for five days. During those days, they praise their God and try to pave the way for manifestation of anything that is good through the help of their god, Ahura Mazda.
 

* Photographer : Soraya Derambakhsh *