Anahita Temple

The Anahita Temple is one of the most important and magnificent historical monuments in Iran, located in the city of Kangavar in Kermanshah Province. This ancient temple was dedicated to the goddess Anahita, the divine lady of water, fertility and purity in the religions of ancient Iran, and it dates back to the Parthian and Sasanian eras. Archaeologists believe that the complex was built on a stone platform with a unique architectural style that combines elements of Achaemenid and Greek architecture. The tall columns, grand staircases and carved stones of the structure bear witness to the splendor and skill of the architects of ancient Iran. The complex is valuable not only for its architecture and archaeology, but also as one of the most prominent tourist attractions in western Iran, welcoming thousands of domestic and international visitors every year. After Persepolis, the Anahita Temple is the second largest historical monument in Iran, and it dates back to the pre-Islamic era.

The Anahita Temple measures 220 meters in length and 210 meters in width and stands on a rocky ridge. A wall more than 5 meters thick runs all around the temple. The entrance has two-way staircases on the south side, while on the north side there is a one-way staircase leading to the temple building. Stone channels regulated the water of the river and guided it magnificently into the reservoir at the center of the temple. The way the water was divided and flowed within the Anahita Temple was one of the engineering wonders of its time, designed to display this sacred element in the most beautiful way possible. On all four sides of the temple there are corridors, and water channels in their floors carried water back and forth to the center of the temple. On the two upper sides of the temple, there are four bull heads on each side, facing one another; when the temple was filled with water, the images of the bull heads were reflected on the water. In the middle of the temple there is a space where the water from these channels collected, filling a small pool of roughly 10 by 10 meters with a depth of 20 centimeters.

The temple's location on the route from Hamadan to Kermanshah makes it easy to reach, and its setting in the midst of nature adds to its appeal. The best time to visit the Anahita Temple is spring and autumn. During these seasons the weather in the region is mild and pleasant, and the countryside around the temple is lush and beautiful. Farvardin to Khordad and Mehr to Aban are the months that make a visit to this ancient monument most enjoyable. In summer, visiting may be somewhat difficult because of the heat, and in winter the cold and seasonal precipitation sometimes make travel difficult.