What is the difference between Zoroastrian and Parsi?

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, Parsi, also spelled Parsee, member of a group of followers in India of the Persian prophet Zoroaster. The Parsis, whose name means “Persians”, are descended from Persian Zoroastrians who emigrated to India to avoid religious persecution by the Muslims.

Who goes to Fire Temple?

Agiyari or the Fire Temple is the place of worship for Zoroastrians (Parsis).

What is a Zoroastrian temple called?

Zoroastrian places of worship are sometimes called fire temples. Each fire temple contains an altar with an eternal flame that burns continuously and is never extinguished.

What is found in every Parsi temple?

The place of worship for Zoroastrians, Mumbai’s Parsi fire temples use fire and ash for purification. Zoroastrian is one of the world’s oldest religions, and Zoroastrians—often called dar-e mehr in Persian–the religion’s worshippers.

What temple has a fire burning for 1500 years?

Yazd Zoroastrian Fire Temple
Want to see a holy fire that has been burning since 1500 years ago? You can visit Yazd Zoroastrian Fire Temple. Yazd is a religious city, but not only for one particular religion but also for the religious minority of Zoroastrians as well.

How old is Yazd?

Yazd, also spelled Yezd, city, capital of Yazd province, central Iran. The city dates from the 5th century ce and was described as the “noble city of Yazd” by Marco Polo. It stands on a mostly barren sand-ridden plain about 4,000 feet (1,200 metres) above sea level.

What is the history of Zoroastrianism in India?

It became the dominant religion of Persia for more than a millennium, until the advent of Islam in the seventh century. Some Zoroastrians who refused to convert fled, and ended up in Gujarat in western India, where they became known as Parsis after their Persian origins.

Where is the Parsi fire temple located in Mumbai?

The Parsi Fire Temple is located at Perin Nariman St, while the oldest Fire Temple can be found on Banaji Lane behind Flora Fountain, all in the Fort district of Mumbai. Discover the architectural wonders of India’s living bridges and learn about the communities that maintain this unique tradition.

Why is Mumbai famous for its Parsi culture?

From the 18th century onward, Mumbai became the religious center and headquarters for Parsis and their fire temples. The Parsi population in Mumbai is the largest in India and have influenced arts, politics, and culture in Mumbai and greater India for centuries.

Who are the Parsis of Bombay?

Famous for their delicious dhansak and their eccentricity, the Parsis are still somewhat of an enigma to the rest of India—not least because non-Parsis are not allowed to enter their places of worship. Here’s a guided tour of one of Bombay’s oldest fire temples through the eyes of a (non-practicing) Parsi.