Chak Chak, Yazd Explained

Chak Chak
Native Name Lang:fa
Other Name:Chāhak-e Ardakān, Pīr-e Sabz
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Iran
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within Iran
Pushpin Relief:y
Mapsize:150px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Yazd
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Ardakan
Subdivision Type3:Bakhsh
Subdivision Name3:Kharanaq
Subdivision Type4:Rural District
Subdivision Name4:Robatat
Population As Of:2006
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:IRST
Utc Offset:+3:30
Timezone Dst:IRDT
Utc Offset Dst:+4:30

Chak Chak or Chek Chek (fa|چک‌چک|rtl=yes,), also called Chāhak-e Ardakān or Pīr-e Sabz (fa|پیر سبز|label=none|rtl=yes,), is a village in the Yazd Province of Iran. Located near the city of Ardakan, its existence was noted in the 2006 Iranian census, but its population was not reported.

The village consists of a "pir" (a pilgrimage site for Zoroastrians) perched beneath a towering cliff face in the desert of central Iran. It is the most sacred of the mountain shrines of Zoroastrianism, which was formerly the majority and official religion of the Iranian nation. Each year, from 14 to 18 June, thousands of Zoroastrians from Iran and India, among other countries, flock to the site's fire temple.

In Zoroastrian tradition

Among some Zoroastrians, it is believed that Chak Chak is where Nikbanou, the second daughter of the Iranian king Yazdegerd III, was cornered by the Rashidun army in 640 CE, during the Arab conquest of Iran. Fearing that she would be captured, she prayed to Ahura Mazda for protection, prompting the mountain to miraculously open up and provide her with shelter.

Notable features of Chak Chak include the mountain's ever-dripping spring, which are said to be tears of grief that are shed in remembrance of Nikbanou. Growing beside the holy spring is an immense and ancient tree that is said to be Nikbanou's cane. Legend also has it that a petrified colorful cloth from Nikbanou was also visible in the rocks, although pilgrims have since removed it.

Temple of Chak Chak

The actual temple of Chak Chak is a man-made grotto sheltered by two large bronze doors. The shrine enclosure is floored with marble and its walls are darkened by fires eternally burning in the sanctuary. In the cliffs below the shrine are several roofed pavilions constructed to accommodate pilgrims.

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