China’s cultural advisor, Jo Zi Hao, and the charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy visited Tehran’s fire temple on Sunday, February 2nd, at the same time as the beginning of the Chinese New Year.
According to the public relations report of the Zoroastrian Association of Tehran, during this visit, which was accompanied by several other employees of the Chinese Embassy, Mobed Kourosh Bolandi spoke about the role that fire plays in the Zoroastrian culture, and the philosophy of keeping fire in fire temples. During the visit the cultural adviser of China, who was well acquainted with the Persian language and Iranian culture, especially Zoroastrians, explained the many similarities in the customs and traditions of Nowrouz and Chinese New Year were discussed.
In the continuation of the visit, which was carried out with the presence of Kourosh Azargoshasbi, the deputy head of the Tehran Zoroastrian Association, Faramarz Pourrostami, the head of the Public Relations Commission, Kambiz Rostami, the director of cultural affairs of the Tehran Zoroastrian Association, and Mobed Kourosh Bolandi, member of the Mobedan Association, there are many similarities in customs and traditions. Nowruz and Chinese New Year were discussed.
Chinese New Year started on January 22 this year. In Chinese culture, this celebration is considered the most important event of the year. From days before, the people welcome New Year’s arrival with customs such as house cleaning and Chaharshanbehsuri. As the New Year begins, they visit families and also their temples.
Tehran’s Adrian building dates back to the Qajar period. This work was registered as one of Iran’s national works on Esfand 11, 1381, with registration number 7442. Adrian’s foundation stone, or the Tehran fire temple, was laid in Amordad in 1293 AD. It was opened with the participation of the Persians of India, “Bahramji Bikaji,” and the Zoroastrians of Tehran, in 1296 (1917) together with Azargan celebrations. The building was built with the financial support of Indian Parsees, Barhamji Bikaji, and Iranian Zoroastrians living in Iran and India. Mobed Ardeshir Rostam Rostami, Mobed bahram Rashid Sheed, and Mobed Hormozdyar bahram Sorush carried the sacred fire from Yazd with a special ceremony, and after 25 days of paving the way to Tehran, on the day of Ador, of the month of Ador, while celebrating Azargan, they placed the fire in the pit of Tehran Fire temple. This is the fire that has come to us from thousands of years ago, from the Azarfaranbagh fire temple; the fire that Mobeds feed with wood and keep it burning day and night.
