Atashgah: A hillside Zoroastrian fire temple in Isfahan

TEHRAN – Though Iran is a Muslim-majority country, it is home to ancient Zoroastrian sites still retaining otherworldly charm.

Ancient festival of mid-winter observed by Zoroastrians across Iran

TEHRAN – A host of Iranian Zoroastrians come together in Taft county, central Yazd province, to observe Jashn-e Sadeh, a time-honored religious festival of mid-winter on January 30, 2020.

Iranian Zoroastrians provide aid to flood-hit Sistan-Baluchestan

TEHRAN – Zoroastrian people residing in Yazd province sent their contributions to the flood-hit areas of Sistan-Baluchestan province, head of the association of Zoroastrians, has said.

Iranian religious minorities pay tribute to martyrs

As the new year is approaching, followers of divine religions pay homage to their family members martyred during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war, known as the Sacred Defense. According to officials, 90 Christians, 11 Jews, and 33 Zoroastrians were martyred during the 8-year war.

Tirgan, a feast in honor of rain

Tirgan (also known as Jashn-e Tirgan) is a time-honored Iranian festival usually observed as a rain festival. Tiragan, along with Noruz, Yalda Night and Mehregan are amongst feasts widely celebrated in the ancient land.

Zoroastrians to observe Pir-e Sabz pilgrimage in Yazd

TEHRAN – Once again it’s time to celebrate Pir-e Sabz or Chak-Chak, a congregational pilgrimage observed by clusters of Zoroastrian pilgrims from all over Iran.

Iranian presidential aide felicitates Zoroastrians

TEHRAN -- Ali Younesi, the presidential aide for ethnic and religious minorities, on Wednesday congratulated Zoroastrians in Iran and other parts of the world including those in the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and West Asia on the birth anniversary of Zoroaster.

Zoroastrians to observe Mehregan aimed to cement friendships

TEHRAN – Clusters of Iranian Zoroastrians are to hold reunions in celebration of Mithra, an ancient goddess of friendship, affection and love in the evening of October 2.

Iranian Zoroastrian clergyman dismisses Pompeo’s claims

TEHRAN – An Iranian Zoroastrian clergyman has rejected claims by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that religious minorities are being suppressed in Iran, saying Zoroastrians living in Iran are able to perform their rituals freely.

Barred Zoroastrian Sepanta Niknam regains council seat

TEHRAN – Nine months after he was denied a seat in Yazd’s city council, Sepanta Niknam, a follower of Zoroastrianism, regained his status as councilor.

Zoroastrian Pir-e Sabz pilgrimage underway in Yazd

TEHRAN – On June 14, the annual Pir-e Sabz congregational pilgrimage started for Zoroastrians in Ardakan county, Yazd province, central Iran.

Sadeh: Zoroastrian reverence for mid-winter

TEHRAN – This evening flocks of Iranian Zoroastrians come together to observe Sadeh festival, a time-honored celebration of mid-winter which this year falls on January 30.

Towers of silence where antiquity meets modernity

TEHRAN – Towers of silence in central Iran are not any more dedicated to bones of the dead to get cleaned by vultures. In modern era, they are just peaceful destinations for domestic and foreign travelers.

Book chronicles valor of Zoroastrians in modern Iranian history   

TEHRAN – A book that spotlights the Zoroastrians who have shown valor during various events in modern Iranian history has recently been published in Tehran.

Iranians observe Mehregan aiming to renew friendship

TEHRAN – Yesterday evening, clusters of Iranian Zoroastrians came together in various reunions across the country to celebrate Mehregan, an ancient Persian festival that marks friendship, affection and love.

Sadabad complex to host ancient Amurdad celebration

TEHRAN - The Sadabad Cultural-Historical Complex in Tehran will hold ancient Amurdad celebration that its philosophy accentuates protecting nature and the environment.

By Naghmeh Mizanian

Zoroastrians hold Pir-e Sabz congregational pilgrimage

Zoroastrian pilgrims from all over the country gathered in the city of Yazd to hold congregational pilgrimage of Pir-e Sabz, also called Chak-Chak.

Zoroastrians gather at Pir-e-Sabz shrine 

The Zoroastrian community annually gathers at Pir-e-Sabz, a Zoroastrian temple situated in Yazd, central Iran, to practice specific rituals and traditions. 

Soroush Razmi

Rebirth of a collective remembrance

Nowruz is an ancestral festivity marking the beginning of spring and the renewal of nature.

Chaharshanbeh-Suri: A fiery salute to New Year

TEHRAN – Amongst final preparations to salute the Iranian New Year, people observe Chaharshanbeh-Suri, a deeply-rooted-in-time ceremony that, according to tradition, is a bid to ward off all the misfortunes and bad omens, hoping that wishes will come true.

Sadeh: Zoroastrians celebrate ancient winter festival

TEHRAN - Like every year, nationwide assemblies of Iranian Zoroastrians held the time-honored Sadeh Festival late on Jan. 29. According to a tradition, the followers of Zoroastrian faith celebrate the passing of winter by kindling bonfires.

Towers of Silence once essential feature of Zoroastrian burial rituals

TEHRAN – Amongst enigmatic tourist destinations in Iran are two Zoroastrian ‘Towers of Silence’ that are nested on top of two lonely, barren hilltops in southern outskirts of the city of Yazd, which has long been a center of Zoroastrianism in the country.

By Naghmeh Mizanian

Zoroastrians consulted on citizenship charter’s draft: Rep.

TEHRAN – Esfandiyar Ekhtiyari, who represents Iran’s Zoroastrian community in the country’s 290-seat legislature, has said representatives of religious minorities have requested changes be made to a citizenship charter, on which the Rouhani administration had sought their opinions.