AzarGoshnasp (Takht-e Soleyman), One of the oldest alive holy sites in the world

AzarGoshnasp (Takht-e Soleyman), One of the oldest alive holy sites in the world

One of the oldest alive holy sites in the world is called AzarGoshnasp (Takht-e Soleyman). It is located in a valley, near town of Takab, in West Azarbaijan in Iran. This fortified site has crater inside itself which is filled with spring water. Around the pond is the remains of a Zoroastrian sanctuary which partially rebuilt during the Ilkhanid period, as well as the fire temple from the Sassanid era that was dedicated to the Persian goddess Anahita (modern Persian Nahid). Archaeological excavations have also revealed traces of a 5th century BC occupation during the Achaemenid period, as well as later Parthian Sassanid kings, and that of the Byzantine emperor Theodosius II (AD 408-450), have also been discovered there. This place was recognized as a World Heritage Site in July 2003.

UNSCO believes:
Takht-e Soleyman is associated with one of the early monotheistic religions of the world. It is also has many important symbolic relationships, shows the association of the ancient beliefs, much earlier than the Zoroastrianism, as well as in its association with significant biblical figures and legends.

According to Zoroastrian texts; AzarGushnasp is one of the three Zoroastrian sacred fires that had been existing since creation and designated to serve as guardians and protectors of earth in the beginning of the creation.

And in the beginning of the creation the whole earth was delivered over into the guardianship of the sublime Farnbag fire, the mighty [Adar] Gushnasp fire, and the beneficial Burzin-Mihr fire, which are like priest, warrior, and husbandman. 9. The place of the fire Farnbag was formed on the Gadman-homand ('glorious') mountain in Khvarizem, the fire [Adar] Gushnasp was on the Asnavand mountain in Ataro-patakan, and the fire Burzin-Mihr on the Revand mountain which is in the Ridge of Vishtasp, and its material manifestation in the world was the most complete. (Selections of Zadsparam)

When Kay Kosrow the Kayanian King was destroying the image-shrine of Lake Chichast, AzarGushnasp is settled on the mane of his horse, dispelling darkness and shadow and shedding light, until the King had destroyed the image-shrine.
Where AzarGushnasp was first installed is uncertain but it seems some time before A.D. 400, it was transferred to a fortified site, today is called, Takht-e Soleyman.

It was probably in early Sassanid times that the fire was first classified by Persian scholastics as that of the warrior state, to which the kings themselves belonged. The royal connection of the fire was so fostered that it became the custom. Each potential Sassanid king made a pilgrimage there on foot to humble himself at the sacred fire altar after his coronation.
By the Arab invasion (645AD) the name changed to Takht-e Soleyman (Throne of Solomon) in order to keep it safe from destruction by Arabs and next invaders. Thus it became a holy place that belonged to Solomon the Semitic prophet.

sources:
Boyce Marry. 1985; “AdurGushnasp”. Encyclopeadia Iranica Volume I. p.475-6
Selections Of Zadspram.; Translated by E. W. West, from Sacred Books of the East, volume 5, Oxford University Press,. 1897.
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