To mark the Shahrivaragan festival and Father’s Day, the Council of Mobeds and the Zoroastrian Association of Tehran held a cordial gathering on August 20, 2025. The event was attended by Mobed Mehraban Pouladi, head of the Council of Mobeds, Afshin Namiranian, head of the Zoroastrian Association of Tehran, along with members of both councils. The gathering recognized and thanked the firekeepers of Tehran while also addressing matters concerning the Tehran Fire Temple.
According to the Zoroastrian Association of Tehran’s Public Relations Office, Mobed Mehraban Pouladi praised the mobeds and the Adrian Fire Temple’s management team for their dedicated efforts, describing their contributions to religious and cultural affairs as outstanding. Highlighting the spirit of hamazori (unity and cooperation) around the Atash Bahram, he honored Ahura Mazda and the sacred fire for sustaining this solidarity and ensuring the endurance of the faith over the millennia. He also extended gratitude to the temple’s leadership and the fire keeping mobeds, particularly those who safeguarded the fire during the 12-day war.
Afshin Namiranian also expressed satisfaction with the temple’s progress and thanked all those involved in its activities.
Mobed Kourosh Bolandi Reviews Progress of Tehran’s Adrian Management Group
Mobed Kourosh Bolandi, speaking on behalf of the Adrian Fire Temple Management Group in Tehran, recalled the group’s establishment in March 2023, when a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Council of Mobeds and the Zoroastrian Association of Tehran. He described this cooperation as a testament to the central role of the Atash Bahram as a pillar of Zoroastrian identity, and the Adrian Fire Temple as a key religious and cultural institution jointly overseen by two of the community’s leading organizations.
In his remarks, Bolandi outlined the group’s accomplishments over the past two and a half years. Through the collaboration of the Council of Mobeds, the Zoroastrian Association, mobeds, colleagues, and benefactors, numerous projects have been completed. These include renovations to the fire chamber and the Yazeshngah (ceremonial hall for Yasna rituals), restoration of the mobeds’ quarters, improvements to the wood storage facility, and the establishment of a new wood depot at Qasre Firuzeh Cemetery. He also highlighted the revival of traditional observances such as the celebration of Ordibehesht Day, as well as efforts to standardize fire-keeping practices, formalize rituals of feeding the sacred fire, provide proper attire for firekeepers, and ensure the steady supply of suitable wood.
Bolandi further pointed to the group’s initiatives in visitor management, including regulating tours of the temple and launching an informational page on the Zoroastrian Association’s website to assist tourists. He concluded by emphasizing ongoing plans to strengthen both religious practices and infrastructural improvements at the Adrian Fire Temple.
A representative of the Adrian Fire Temple Management Group highlighted the enduring role of the Atash Bahram and those who safeguard it, stressing that throughout history the sacred fire and the Zoroastrian faith—supported by Ahura Mazda, grounded in a rich cultural tradition, and upheld by devoted mobeds—have endured and will continue to be preserved. He noted that the Atash Bahram naturally draws to itself virtuous and faithful individuals, keeping them close in its service. He also emphasized the vital role of mobeds and firekeepers across Iran, pointing out that their devotion was especially evident during the 12-day defense.
He went on to thank Farahnaz Goshtasb, head of the Adrian Fire Temple, along with her husband Mehrdad Saadat and Dariush Mobed, acknowledging their valuable efforts in bringing order and coordination to the temple’s affairs.
Farshad Farhifar, a member of both the Zoroastrian Association of Tehran and the Adrian Management Group, also expressed appreciation to the temple’s leadership and mobeds, noting that their dedication provides peace of mind regarding the preservation of the sacred fire.
The gathering included dialogue and exchange of views between mobeds and participants, during which various related topics were discussed.
The event concluded with the presentation of a plaque of appreciation—prepared by the Council of Mobeds and the Zoroastrian Association of Tehran—together with a gift to the mobeds, followed by a reception for attendees.
