Mahfarkhan Village

Mahfarkhan village (also spelled Mah-e Farkhan) is part of Runiz District in Estahban County, Fars Province, and lies in Khayr Rural District. The village is about 25 km from the city of Estahban and 164 km from Shiraz. With its long history and its setting among fruit orchards, it is one of the notable villages of the region. According to the 2016 census (1395 SH), Mahfarkhan has a population of about 1,880 and a rural character; orcharding, animal husbandry and farming are the main occupations of its residents. The region's agricultural products include wheat, figs, saffron, cotton, olives, legumes, pomegranates, grapes, almonds and walnuts, and the village's setting among pomegranate, apple and apricot orchards gives its landscape a special charm.

The most important historical attraction of Mahfarkhan is the Chahartaqi of Mahfarkhan, also known as the Bahram Fire Temple, which dates back to the Sasanian era. It stands about 300 m from the village, among apple and apricot orchards, on the road from Mahfarkhan toward Neyriz. The structure is built of stone and sarooj (traditional waterproof mortar), and thanks to its architectural features it is regarded as one of the surviving works of the Sasanian period. It was registered on Iran's National Heritage list on 18 Shahrivar 1387 under number 23413. The chahartaqi has an entrance, a small iwan, platforms on both sides of the entrance, and a dome with an arched structure; its inner ceiling is decorated with a shallow semicircle and distinctive architectural elements. In popular belief, the building was formerly known as the "Tomb of Ardeshir's Mother" and was revered by the local people. Other historical sites of Mahfarkhan include the Kuhnaru cairn graves (stone-heap tombs) from the Parthian and Sasanian periods, which were registered on the country's National Heritage list in 1387. Around the village there are also attractions such as Bakhtegan Lake, Tarom Waterfall, Tashk Lake, Bakhtegan Park, the Bahram Gur area, Sarasiab Waterfall, Zakaria Cave, Dokhtar Castle, Bahram Fire Temple, Badreh Spring, the Stone Iwan, Estahban Recreation Area and Estahban Gorge. Bakhtegan Lake lies about 8 km from Mahfarkhan; it is fed by the Sivand and Kor rivers and is a habitat and migration destination for various birds, including flamingos.

To reach Mahfarkhan, take the routes leading to Estahban County and then on to Runiz District and Khayr Rural District; the Mahfarkhan chahartaqi is about 300 m from the village, on the road toward Neyriz. Since the summers in the region are hot and dry and the winters cold and wet, spring and autumn are the better times to visit and explore the village and its surroundings. When visiting the chahartaqi and other historical sites, do not touch, move or damage any part of the structures. Because the chahartaqi stands among farm orchards, avoid entering the orchards without permission and avoid damaging crops. Likewise, when visiting the surrounding nature, especially around the lakes and natural habitats, it is best not to leave any litter, and to preserve the peace of the wildlife and the region's vegetation.