In the Iranian Zoroastrian tradition, the Towers of Silence were built atop hills or low mountains in desert locations distant from population centers. But what is the purpose of a Dakhmeh or Towers of Silence? Basically, it is a cemetery for Zoroastrian’s people. Based on Zoroastrian’s beliefs, human remaining is unclean. Also, they consider soil as a holy element, so no human shall be buried because the soil will be polluted. So, instead of putting the corpse into soil, they put them for vultures to feed on them!
This unique ceremony has more than 3000 years’ dates. Zoroastrian corpse were transferred by people named Nesakesh from home to the Dakhmeh. After delivering the dead to Dakhmeh officials, the corpse was exposed to the sun and birds until only the bones were left. After this unusual purification, there is a person in there who was never allowed to leave the Dakhmeh, putting the remaining bones into the “Ostudan” (Ossuary) in the middle of the Dakhmeh. It is worth to mention that all ceremonies in Dakhmeh were stopped since the 70s.
Please note opening hours and entrance fee: 08:00 – 18:00 / IRR 200‘000 (April 2019)