Imagine living on a land that could kill you in a moment’s notice while also providing you with all of the riches you could dream of. This is what the people of Azerbaijan’s Absheron Peninsula must heed on daily basis. Just north of the peninsula lie the capital, Baku, where a sacred fire once burned eternally – The Ategash of Baku. Due to exploitation, the flame is no longer able to burn on its own. The fire is still there and is fueled manually for tourists and visits by the locals. The Ategash of Baku has been around for thousands of years. It has served as a place of worship for believers in Zoroastrianism. Earth’s elements made up the core of their beliefs with fire being the most pure and symbolizing their god. This practice is emphasized and extends on their belief of keeping thoughts, words, and actions pure through prayer and ritual. Do All Fires Burn Out Or Is The Energy Transferred? What was once one of the most powerful monotheistic religions, Zoroastrianism is now one of the world’s smallest. According to NY Times, there are approximately 190,000 believers worldwide. A practice that once ruled the Persian […]
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