AP Iranians are celebrating the Festival of Fire, a nearly 4,000-year-old Persian tradition that this year offers a brief escape from the countrys economic woes. The celebration is held on the last Tuesday night before Nowruz, or the Iranian New Year, which will be celebrated this Thursday. The annual ritual dates back to at least 1700 B.C. and ...

ISNA | Mehraban Afsar Keshmiri: Each year from June 1418, thousands of Zoroastrians from Iran, India and other countries flock to an ancient fire temple at Pir-e Sabz or Chak Chak village in central Iran. The village Chak Chak is part of Ardakan County in Yazd province, central Iran. A fire temple located in the village is the most sacred of the ...

Sadeh is a mid-winter celebration observed by Zoroastrians. It includes preparing a large bonfire and is therefore also known as Feast of Fire. The bonfire is to drive back the winter in defiance of Ahriman (satan). It is a deeply religious festival.   By ISNA