Overview
This Surat tourist site, built in the 18th century, holds a special place in the hearts of the local Zoroastrians. In essence, “the highest grade of a fire that may be placed in a (Zoroastrian) fire temple” is the Atash Behram. The structure itself is so stunning that it begs for you to have a peek inside. Its placement in the historic district means that tourists do not frequently visit it. It’s possible that people from other groups won’t be permitted in this Parsi religious site.
The religious significance of gathering, purifying and consecrating several fires is to purify and return to Ahura Mazda His first pure creation in its pristine form, to become a focus of worship and His eternal pure symbol, never allowed to go out. The sacred Atash Behram, the Fire temple at Udvada, for example, kindled in 721 CE in Sanjan, burns continually to this day, now in Udvada since 1741, and housed in a magnificent Persian style temple building since 1742.
