Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
Helpfulness
Make a wish and then walk around the open flame in the central temple for three times in both directions while focusing on the wish you made will help it become true (LP says).
Written Sep 10, 2006
Helpfulness
From Baku, marshrutkas for Suraxani leave from Nariman Narimanov metro station constantly throughout the day. From Suraxani, marshrutkas leave from behind the railway station, which is 300m far from the temple.
Written Sep 10, 2006
Taxis usually wait in front of the railway station in Suraxani, a few hundred meters from the Zoroastrian Fire Temple.
Marshrutkas for Baku leave every 10-20 minutes from BEHIND the railway station, and you should get off at the end of the line (Nariman Narimanov).
Unless you are in a big hurry, it doesn't worth taking the cab instead of a marshrutka.
Written Sep 10, 2006
Favorite thing: The low, dark cells for monks and pilgrims house is an interesting museum about Zoroastrianism and the Zoroastrians, their believes and practices, such as lying on hot coals or carrying most heavy chains.
Updated Sep 10, 2006
Favorite thing: Zoroastrians are the followers of the Iranian prophet Spitaman Zarathushtra (known to the Greeks as Zoroaster) who lived and preached somewhere around the Aral Sea.
The energy of the creator is represented in Zoroastrianism by fire and the sun which are both enduring, radiant, pure and life sustaining. Zoroastrians usually pray in front of some form of fire (or any source of light). It is important to note that fire is not worshipped by Zoroastrians, but is used simply as symbol and a point of focus, much like the crucifix in Christianity.
Fondest memory: Central to Zoroastrianism is the emphasis on moral choice, of life as a battle-ground between moral and immoral forces.
Humans are free and responsible beings, predestination being rejected in Zoroastrian teaching. Humans bear responsibility for all situations they are in, and in the way they act to one another. Reward, punishment, happiness and grief all depend on how individuals live their life. Good transpires for those who do righteous deeds. Those who do evil have themselves to blame for their ruin. Zoroastrian morality is summed up in the simple phrase, "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds".
Written Sep 10, 2006
Favorite thing: There are many inscriptions on the walls inside the temple courtyard, apparently in Sanskrit and Hindu, evidence of the Indian connection.
Written Sep 10, 2006
Favorite thing: This area immediately around the temple was one of the first oil fields developed commercially. The commercial exploitation depleted the natural gas pressure so that the central eternal flame now needs help from the Baku municipal gas company. Which is not enough to burn the flames at the four corners of the temple.
When you climb the temple walls and take a tour around the temple, look out as well, and you'll see a scene of utter devastation surrounding the temple, abandoned oilrigs, blackened soil and a crude stench.
Written Sep 10, 2006
Favorite thing: The flames escaping from the ground on the Abseron peninsula were considered to have divine power by the Zoroastrians, who were dominant in Azerbaijan in the 17th century, and also by the Indians who were at the time trading with the country. As news spread, pilgrims from India followed the merchants to the peninsular to build these places of worship.
Fondest memory: Built on the site of a natural gas vent believed to have been sacred to the Zoroastrians since the 6th century AD, the Atashgah Temple, also known as the Temple of the Fire worshippers, has been a centre of worship for thousands of years.
Much of the existing structure has been built since the 17th century.
Written Sep 10, 2006
Oil fields & Zoroastrian Temple
Azerbaijan derives his name from the Persian word “Azar” (fire), given to these territories because of Zoroastrian temples scattered all around, with their fires fuelled by plentiful supplies of oil...
Build your own Suraxani page
Comments