Structure Ateshgah of Baku

guebre ceremony in ateshgah temple

some scholars have speculated ateshgah may have been ancient zoroastrian shrine decimated invading islamic armies during muslim conquest of persia , neighboring regions. has been asserted that, according historical sources, before construction of indian temple of fire (atashgah) in surakhani @ end of 17th century, local people worshipped @ site because of 7 holes burning flame .

fire considered sacred in indo-iranian branches of sikhism, hinduism, , zoroastrianism (as agni , atar respectively), , there has been debate on whether atashgah hindu structure, zoroastrian, or sikh one. trident mounted atop structure distinctly hindu sacred symbol (as trishula, commonly mounted on temples) , has been cited zoroastrian scholars specific reason considering atashgah hindu , sikh site. however, azeri presentation on history of baku, calls shrine hindu temple , identifies trident zoroastrian symbol of thoughts, words , deeds .

one european commentator, jonas hanway, bucketed zoroastrians, sikhs, , hindus respect religious beliefs: these opinions, few alterations, still maintained of posterity of ancient indians , persians, called gebers or gaurs, , zealous in preserving religion of ancestors; particularly in regard veneration element of fire. geber persian term zoroastrians, while gaurs priestly hindu , sikhcaste. later scholar, a. v. williams jackson, drew distinction between 2 groups. while stating typical features hanway mentions distinctly indian, not zoroastrian based on worshipers attires , tilakas, strictly vegetarian diets , open veneration cows, left open possibility few actual gabrs (i.e. zoroastrians, or parsis) may have been present @ shrine alongside larger hindu , sikh groups.