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Pir (Persian : پیر) refers to a site of pilgrimage, typically one of the Zoroastrian faith, in Persian. Pirs range from localized devotional sites to major centers of worship. [1] Among the most well-known pirs are the six mountain pir which can be found in and around the city of Yazd, Iran: Seti Pir, Pir-e Sabz, Pir-e Nāraki, Pir-e Bānu, Pir-e Herisht, and Pir-e Nārestān. [2] However, pirs can be found in cities throughout the Persian world including Kerman, [3] Shiraz [4] and Tehran. [5]
There is no universal principle of design in Zoroastrian religious architecture; as a result, each pir has its own unique structures and features. However, there are certain traits which many pirs possess such as an altar-like structure used to house atar or sacred fires. In mountain pirs, shrines often take the form of a large stone or solid piece of rock. [6] Many of the larger shrines are located near a natural water source, the water of which may be considered sacred as well. [7] Often, plane trees or cypresses [8] can be found in or near the pir. To these trees are sometimes tied wish-ribbons, a form of decorative, occasionally highly complex, textile garlands.
Traditionally, pilgrims would spend three days at pirs before departing; [1] however, in modern times this practice has declined. [9] The only exception to this is in Pir-e Sabz, where it is still common for worshippers to remain near the site from June 15 to 18, the traditional dates of pilgrimage. [9] In Vancouver, the Zoroastrian community annually gathers in a specific spot in the mountains on June 13 and practices the rituals and traditions that they would be enacting were they able to travel to Pir-e Sabz itself. [10] This community has observed the pilgrimage days in this manner since 1999. [9]