Ateshgah

The Ateshgah, also known as the Fire Temple in Baku, is a historical and religious site situated in Surakhany, a suburb of Baku, Azerbaijan. Constructed in the 17th-18th centuries, it is a castle-like religious temple complex that was once a place of worship for Zoroastrians. Persian and Indian inscriptions indicate its use as a place of worship for Hindu, Sikh, and Zoroastrian faiths.

The term "Ātash" translates to fire and “Gah” means bed in Persian. The temple is renowned for its unique pentagonal shape and the natural gas fires that once burned continuously inside. Pilgrims visited to worship the eternal flame, believing in its sacred and purifying properties. Ateshgah was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998.

Abandoned in the late 19th century, it is believed to coincide with the decline of the Indian population in the region. The Ateshgah now operates as a museum, providing insight into Azerbaijan's cultural and religious history.