1. Iranshah Atash Behram (Udvada, Gujarat) | 2. Wadiaji Atash Behram (Mumbai, Maharashtra) | 3. Banaji Limji Agiary (Mumbai, Maharashtra) | 4. Anjuman Atash Behram (Mumbai, Maharashtra) | 5. Modi Atash Behram (Surat, Gujarat) | 6. Jamshedji Minocherji Sethji Agiary (Navsari, Gujarat) | 7. Dadysett Agiary (Mumbai, Maharashtra) | 8. Furdoonji Agiary (Pune, Maharashtra) | 9. Cama Baug Agiary (Mumbai, Maharashtra) | 10. Petit Atash Behram (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Introduction to Parsi Fire Temples of India
Parsi Fire Temples, known as Atash Behrams and Agiyaris, are sacred places of worship for the Parsi Zoroastrian community in India. These temples house the eternal flame, which is tended to with great reverence and religious precision, symbolizing purity, divine energy, and the eternal presence of Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity in Zoroastrianism.
The arrival of Parsis in India dates back to the 8th–10th centuries when they fled religious persecution in Persia and found refuge in Gujarat. Over time, they established a thriving community, preserving their ancient customs, rituals, and sacred fire-worship traditions. Today, India is home to some of the most historically significant Fire Temples, primarily concentrated in Mumbai, Gujarat, and a few other cities like Hyderabad and Kolkata.
Parsi Fire Temples are classified into three categories based on the sanctity of the fire they enshrine:
- Atash Behram – The highest grade of fire, consecrated through a complex ritual involving 16 different fires.
- Adarian – A mid-grade fire temple that requires simpler consecration rituals.
- Dadgah – A lower-grade temple where the fire is kept burning without elaborate rituals.
Entry to Fire Temples is strictly restricted to Zoroastrians, as per religious traditions, and they follow strict rituals to maintain the purity of the sacred flame. The architecture of these temples is often simple yet dignified, with a focus on sanctity rather than grandeur.
Over centuries, these temples have not only served as religious centers but also as cultural and community hubs, preserving the unique identity of Parsis in India. Despite the dwindling Parsi population, these sacred sites continue to stand as symbols of faith, resilience, and the timeless spiritual heritage of Zoroastrianism.