Ancient Temples

Temple of the water goddess Anahita

The Sassanid city of Bishapur was one of the largest cities in the ancient times, however most of buildings of this great city have been destroyed but the structure of Anahita (the guardian angle of waters in Zoroastrian religion) temple has remained relatively untouched, for being built deeper than other buildings and covered by several feet of dirt till 1940s when French archeologist Roman Ghirshman excavated the site of Bishapur.

The floor plan of palace and temple complex of Bishapur is shown below. The main entry to the temple is stairway in front of palace. The plan shows water from river Shapur is channeled into an under ground canal directed to the temple floor. The flow of water then continues to feed the city of Bishapur next to the complex.

This pic shows this complex from the air:

This is the ruin of the Palace:

According to French archaeologists, there was a large dome covering the entire area, but the walls appear to be not strong enough to support a heavy superstructure.

And this the temple:

You can reach the interior passing a long stairs, left on this picture.

The exterior of the shrine:

This looks like the triangle-shaped wall that supports a roof, but the sanctuary was open.

The inside of the temple:

In front of this door, you can see the opening of a small channel. This square was actually a pool. The triangle-shaped top once carried two bull imposts.

Bull shaped head stone:

Main wall from floor view:

Stairs from main floor:

Water canal:

Water was directed from Shapur river using under ground water canals to the floor of the temple.

Water canal access: