PERSIAN GODS PERSIAN GODS ZAHHAKZAHHAK

- is an evil figure in , evident in ancient Persian folklore.

-His father was killed by walking over a deep pit dug by him in order to acquire all the terorities.

-He was guarded by two vipers which grew out from both of his shoulders. No matter how many times they were beheaded, new heads grew on them to guard him. Zahhak getting enthroned

-Rostam, son of Zal and , is the most celebrated legend- ary hero in and Iranian mythology.

-Rostam is best known for his tragic fight with Esfandiar; the other legendary Iranian hero, for his expedition to . and for tragically fighting and killing his son, , without knowing who his opponent is. Rostam was eventually killed by Shaghad, his half-brother.

-He rode the legendary stallion Rakhshn . Rostam killing the Turanian hero VAISHNODEVIPERI TEMPLE

-It is believed that Mata Vaishno Devi, who was also -Peri is considered a beautifulknown though as Trikuta evil woman observed in the early ‘Navratra’, mythol to -pray for the victory of Lord Rama against Ravana. It is also said that ogy, gradually became less evilLord and Rama more also ensuredbeautiful, her thatuntil the during entire world would the Islamic period shesing became her praises a symbol and revere of beauty. her as Mata Vaishno Devi.

-They are exquisite, winged-The spirits. Goddess Originally after forgiving from Bhairo Persian Nath and allowing him to attain Moksha shed her human form and took the and Armenian mythologies,form Peris of awere rock inlater order adopted to continue by uninterrupted other medita- cutures.tion. Mata Vaishno Devi, hence, gives her devotees dar- shan in the form of a five and half feet tall rock, with three pindies or heads on the top -Additionally, they are described as mischievous beings that have been denied entry to paradise until they have completed penance for atonement.

Painting of Peri,1875

KAVE ROSTAMKAVEPERI

-Kave- also known as Kawa or the Blacksmith of Isfahan,is a mythical figure in the Iranian mythology who leads a popular up- rising against a ruthless foreign ruler, Zahhak

-Kave was, according to ancient legends, a blacksmith who lau- nched a national uprising against the evil foreign tyrant Zahhak, after losing two of his children to serpents of Zahhak.

-Kave is the most famous of Persian mythological characters in resistance against despotic foreign rule in . As a symbol of resistance and unity. Kave tearing Zahhak’s scroll SIMBURGH BIRD

-- also spelled simorgh, is a benevolent, mythical bird in Iranian mythology.

-The simurgh was considered to purify the land and waters and hence bestow fertility.

-Iranian legends consider the bird so old that it had seen the de- struction of the world three times over. The simurgh learned so much by living so long that it is thought to possess the knowledge of all the ages. In one legend, the simurgh was said to live 1,700 years before plunging itself into flames. Simburgh returning back to its nest

-Huma Bird- also Homa, is a mythical bird of Iranian legends and fables.

-Although there are many legends of the creature, common to all is that the bird is said never to alight on the ground, and instead to live its entire life flying invisibly high above the earth.

-The Huma bird is said to have both the male and female natures in one body. In Sufi tradition, catching the Huma is beyond even the wildest imagination, but catching a glimpse of it or even a Stupa of Huma bird in Iran BIBLIOGRAPHY- http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Mythology/gods_goddesses.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_mythology

ISHIKA PAREEK

SEC-C

FIRST YEAR STUDIES