SAEDNEWS: East Azerbaijan is one of Iran’s most captivating provinces, attracting numerous visitors with its natural and historical beauty. Among its notable landmarks is the Maragheh Mithra Temple, recognized as one of Iran’s national heritage sites.
According to Saed News’ Social Affairs Service, the Maragheh Mithra Temple is an underground sanctuary dedicated to the worship of the sun and the practice of Mithraism. It is located south of the village of Varjuy in Maragheh and is constructed in a rock-cut, subterranean form. This temple, considered one of the notable sites in East Azerbaijan Province, was registered as a national heritage site of Iran on January 9, 1978 (19 Dey 1356 SH) under registration number 1556.
With a history spanning over 3,000 years, the Maragheh Mithra Temple is a valuable heritage of the ancient history and civilization of the Azerbaijan region. It is one of the four remaining temples from the Parthian era, carved into the heart of the earth in a rock-cut structure. During the Parthian period, it served as a place of worship for Mithraists, and following the advent of Islam, it was used for religious ceremonies.
