Pir (Zoroastrianism)
Template:Short description Pir (Template:Langx) 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.<ref name="Aspandyar Sohrab Gotla 2000 pg. 164">Aspandyar Sohrab Gotla (2000). "Guide to Zarthoshtrian historical places in Iran." University of Michigan Press. LCCN 2005388611 pg. 164</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, pirs can be found in cities throughout the Persian world including Kerman,<ref>Aspandyar Sohrab Gotla (2000). "Guide to Zarthoshtrian historical places in Iran." University of Michigan Press. LCCN 2005388611 pg. 47</ref> Shiraz<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Tehran.<ref>G. Gropp, "Die rezenten Feuertempel der Zarathustrier (II)", Archaeologische Mitteilungen aus Iran N.F.4, 1971 pp. 263-288 (German)</ref>
Structure of a Pir
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.<ref>Strausberg, Michael. (2004). Zoroastrian rituals in context. New York: Brill. Template:ISBN pg. 575</ref> Many of the larger shrines are located near a natural water source, the water of which may be considered sacred as well.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Often, plane trees or cypresses<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.
Modern practices
Traditionally, pilgrims would spend three days at pirs before departing;<ref name="Aspandyar Sohrab Gotla 2000 pg. 164"/> however, in modern times this practice has declined.<ref name="Strausberg, Michael 2004 pg. 591">Strausberg, Michael. (2004). Zoroastrian rituals in context. New York: Brill. Template:ISBN pg. 591</ref> 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.<ref name="Strausberg, Michael 2004 pg. 591"/> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This community has observed the pilgrimage days in this manner since 1999.<ref name="Strausberg, Michael 2004 pg. 591"/>