Chak Chak Shrine

Chak Chak Shrine (or Pir-e Sabz Shrine) is one of the most important Zoroastrians’ holy places and also a significant tourist attraction that’s located 100 km away from the historical city of Yazd. In the time of the last king of Sassanid era (Yazdgerd III), because of the chaotic situation in Iran, the king and his family moved to Yazd. Each one of his family members went to a different place. One of his daughters, whose name was “Nik Banu” went to a mountain and disappeared there, that location is “Chak Chak Shrine” now.

The visitors can reach to this shrine by a steep stairway in the hearth of a mountain. Before entering the building people should take off their shoes for respect. From one part of its ceiling, water drops fall, so it’s called “Chak Chak” that is the sound of water drops in Persian (Yazd-i dialect).

Every year in mid-June, Zoroastrians from Iran and other countries especially India gather in this holy place for their especial religious ceremonies. In this specific time, just Zoroastrians can go to this place but in other times, everyone can visit this interesting place, the best time for visiting Chak Chak is spring and fall. Visiting hours is from 7 am till 7 pm.

Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions. It’s a monotheistic faith, Zoroaster, the prophet, proclaimed that there is only one God. The major features of Zoroastrianism such as judgement after death, heaven and hell have influenced other religious systems. Its basic maxims include:
- Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds
- There is only one path and that is the path of truth.
- Do the right thing because it is right (and then all beneficial rewards will also come to you).
Its roots dates back to the second millennium BC. It was the state religion of the pre-Islamic Iranian empires for more than a millennium. The current number of Zoroastrians are around 190,000 with most living in Iran and India.

Bahareh Yousefian