Tower of Silence
Doodlebrary
- Zoroastrianism Overview:
- Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, founded by Prophet Zoroaster in ancient Persia around the 6th century BCE.
- The religion emphasizes the battle between good (Ahura Mazda) and evil (Angra Mainyu) and places high importance on the purity of the elements: earth, water, fire, and air.
- Belief in the Purity of Elements:
- Zoroastrians believe that dead bodies are impure due to the presence of nasu (decay), which could contaminate the elements.
- To avoid defiling the earth (through burial) or fire (through cremation), Zoroastrians perform “sky burials” in Towers of Silence.
- The Tower of Silence (Dakhma):
- A Tower of Silence, also called Dakhma, is a raised circular structure used for funerary purposes.
- It is usually located on a hilltop, far from human settlements, to facilitate exposure of the dead to the elements and scavenging birds.
- Design of the Tower:
- The tower is divided into three concentric rings:
- Outer ring for men.
- Middle ring for women.
- Inner ring for children.
- The center has a pit, called the Bhandar, where bones are placed after the flesh has been consumed by vultures.
- The Sky Burial Process:
- The dead body is washed and wrapped in a white shroud.
- A Sagdid ritual is performed, where a dog is presented to the body to ward off evil spirits.
- The body is then taken to the Tower of Silence, where it is laid out for vultures to consume.
- Role of Vultures:
- Vultures play a crucial role in Zoroastrian sky burials by quickly consuming the flesh, ensuring that the body returns to nature without contaminating the earth or fire.
- After the flesh is eaten, the bones are left to disintegrate in the central pit.
- Decline of the Tradition:
- Urbanization, shrinking vulture populations, and changing social norms have led to a decline in the use of Towers of Silence.
- In cities like Mumbai, new towers are no longer being constructed, and other funerary methods, such as cremation, have become more common.
- Environmental Challenges:
- The decline in vulture populations, primarily due to the use of the drug diclofenac in livestock, has hampered the effectiveness of sky burials.
- Without vultures, decomposition slows, creating health and sanitation concerns.
- Modern Adaptations:
- Some Zoroastrian communities have adopted alternative practices such as cremation or burial, though these are seen as compromises to traditional rituals.
- Technologies like solar concentrators have been introduced in some areas to aid in decomposition in the absence of vultures.
- Symbolic Importance:
- Despite its decline, the Tower of Silence remains a powerful symbol of Zoroastrian respect for nature and the purity of the elements.
- It reflects the religion’s ecological consciousness and the belief in a balance between human beings and the environment.
- Conclusion:
- The Tower of Silence represents Zoroastrian reverence for life, death, and nature.
- While its practice is fading, the symbolism and teachings associated with this ancient funerary tradition continue to offer insights into Zoroastrianism’s values of ecological balance and spiritual purity.
