The medieval village of Taft is only a short drive from the center of Yazd and is home to a significant Zoroastrian community.
Wandering the narrow streets is a pleasant way to spend a morning.
Ripe pomegranates emanate from the walled gardens of traditional homes.
Open doorways provide a peek into the still largely agrarian society.
The local women’s bright head scarves were a marked contrast to the predominantly black ones we had seen in the cities.
A mosaic Faravahar above the door marks the entrance to the fire temple. Zoroastrians believe this ancient symbol (sometimes interpreted as a “guardian angel”) is meant to remind one of the purpose of life: good thoughts, good words and good deeds.
I loved the main rooms of the dar-e mehr with the portraits of important families in the local Zoroastrian community.
As is customary, the flame is obscured from non-members but can be glimpsed through a window (and you can catch my reflection, too).
All too soon, we were on the road again, this time headed to Pasargad and the Tomb of Cyrus the Great – coming up next!
travel magnolia 
Very interesting Maggie. Thanks.
Happy New Year!
Whitney
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Love it! Happy New Year. Aren’t we fortunate that we went when we did!
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Fabulous pictures! Can’t wait for the next installment!
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Thanks Chrissy! Iran is a photographer’s dream!
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Beautiful photos! Why is it customary to obscure the flame from non-members?
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Thank you Lindsay! According to tradition, non-Zoroastrians are strictly prohibited from entering any space from which one could see the fire(s). This dates back to at least the 16th century, but probably even earlier.
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I think the Iranian Zoroastrians have no problem of allowing non-Zoroastrians to enter the fire temple and see the sacred fire. The ones having these rules are the Parsis (Indian Zoroastrians).
The sacred fire in the great fire temple of Yazd city is the highest level of sacred fire (“fire of victory”), yet non-Zoroastrians are free to see it relatively closely. In India they won’t let you do it.
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Hi Sayawun, thank you for visiting! We were told in Yazd and Taft that we could not actually enter, although we could catch glimpses via stained glass windows.
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They didn’t even allow you to enter the fire temple? That’s unusual. I went to several fire temples and shrines in and around Yazd (with a Zoroastrian driver), and the Zoroastrians let me enter them and see the sacred fires inside. Of course, we cannot get very close to the fires since they are enclosed in glass wall.
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