Mehregan Ceremony in Iran

Mehregan or Persian Festival of Autumn, is dedicated to the Zoroastrian deity Mithra, who is venerated as the Persian god of friendship and truth. Mehregan also has mythological roots announcing the victory day of the legendary King Fereydoon over the scandalous King Zahhak. It used to be an emblematic approach to show Iranians respecting their freedom and resistance against giving up their ancient traditions.

Mehregan is celebrated on the 16th day of the 7th month, Mehr, at the time of harvest and beginning of winter. This feast would be celebrated for six days, starting on the 08th October (Mehr Rouz) and ending on the 13th October (Raam Rouz).

On the occasion of the festival, the participants used to celebrate the feast by wearing new colorful clothes and natural perfumes and setting a table of fruits, nuts, and flowers. These traditions are still practiced among Zoroastrians in Iran especially in Yazd.

Mehregan Ceremony in Iran

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse in Kashan

For some ancient cultures, bathing was a necessity. For Iranian, not only were baths important for maintaining health, they were also an important part of social life. Iran public bath houses were centers for socialization and in some areas, were quite large and lavish indeed. The Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse in Kashan, Iran, is a 16th century public bathhouse built during the time of the Safavid era but was damaged in an earthquake in the 1770s and later renovated during the Qajar period. Characterized by vaulted ceilings, exquisite mosaics and paintings, this gorgeous structure is one of the most beautiful and best preserved historic bathhouse in Iran today. The bath is decorated with amazing ornamental tiles, some of which are turquoise and gold. The bathhouse has the shape of a large octagonal hall with an octagonal pool in the middle, and surrounded by eight pillars separating its outer sitting area.  The roof of the bathhouse is made of multiple domes that contain convex glasses to provide sufficient lighting to the bathhouse while concealing it from the outside. Serves as a museum and declared a national heritage site by Iran’s Cultural Heritage Department in 1956, the bathhouse is named after Imamzadeh Sultan Amir Ahmad, whose mausoleum is nearby. While travelling in Kashan, besides visiting historical houses and Fin garden, Uppersia recommends you to explore this less-known ancient monument.

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse in Kashan