The Tower of Silence

In the Zoroastrian faith, both Earth and fire hold sacred significance, prohibiting their use in the burial of human remains. To address this restriction, the Dakhma, also known as the Tower of Silence, was constructed. This circular and elevated edifice was designed with the purpose of exposing bodies to scavenging birds, such as vultures, for their natural disposal.

While Iran technically possesses similar towers, they are not actively employed for this purpose, making India the exclusive location where one can witness these distinctive structures in practical use.

Advertisement