Baba Yadegar Shrine in Kermanshah: Spiritual Retreat in Kermanshah
Visit Baba Yadegar Shrine: Peaceful Spot in Kermanshah
Rising from the rugged slopes of Dalahu County in Iran’s Kermanshah Province, the Baba Yadegar Shrine stands as a revered monument tied to the Yarsan faith. Built in the 10th century of the Islamic calendar—around the 16th century CE—this simple yet profound structure serves as the tomb of Baba Yadegar, a key figure in the Yarsan religion’s spiritual lineage known as the “Haftan” or Seven Saints.
Located in the Baba Yadegar Shrine region of Ban-Zarde village, it draws thousands of Yarsan pilgrims each year from Iran and neighboring countries. Registered as a national heritage site on December 11, 1974, under number 1015, this shrine offers a powerful connection to history, faith, and nature.
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A Spiritual Haven in Ban-Zarde
The shrine sits 48 kilometers from Kerend and 45 kilometers from Dalahu city, within the scenic Rijab area at the foot of Takht-e Saraneh Mountain, near the ancient Yazdegerd Fortress. Ban-Zarde village, home to over 1,200 residents who speak the Kurdish Hawrami dialect and follow the Yarsan faith, surrounds the site.
Here, locals sustain themselves through farming, animal husbandry, and orchards, cultivating crops like oak, pomegranate, walnut, and olive amid a landscape framed by Mount Kamar to the north, Rijab to the south, Dalahu Mountain to the east, and a steep drop to the Zohab plain in the west.
The tomb itself perches above 1,300 meters, alongside the sacred springs of Ghaslan (believed to represent the Pool of Kawthar) and Hanita. This elevated setting, paired with its historical roots in the 14th century CE, makes the Baba Yadegar Shrine a focal point for both reverence and reflection.
The Sacred Trees
A standout feature of the Baba Yadegar Shrine is its grove of seven ancient trees, each registered as a national heritage treasure. Two towering plane trees, aged around 900 years, anchor the collection as the oldest.
Two cypress trees, roughly 220 years old, and three ash trees, estimated at 150 to 200 years, complete the group. On March 19, 2021, five additional trees—plane, cypress, and ash—with ages exceeding 250 years also joined Iran’s heritage list. These trees, seen as holy by Yarsan followers, frame the Baba Yadegar Shrine with a living testament to centuries of devotion.
Architectural Simplicity
The shrine’s design reflects a practical yet symbolic style. This four-sided structure, known as a chahartaqi, measures 7 meters long and features brick walls recently clad in white stone during restoration. A six-segmented dome crowns the building, while an eastern portico with Qajar-era mirror work adds a touch of historical artistry.
Inside, three niches punctuate the space, and both the interior and courtyard gleam with marble finishes. Historical records, including a deed by Amir Qamam al-Din, note a 16th-century renovation when the site bore the name “Saray-e Zard Bazdjerdi,” affirming its enduring significance.
Who Was Baba Yadegar?
Known locally as “Bawe Yar” in Hawrami, Baba Yadegar ranks among the Yarsan faith’s most venerated figures. Also called “Yar Zarde Bam,” “Shah Yadegar,” “Par Rangineh,” or “Pir Narges Cham,” he lived in the 16th century CE and migrated from Shahu to Dalahu early in that century.
Tradition holds that Sultan Sahak, a foundational Yarsan leader, sent him to India and Pakistan in his youth to spread the faith. Some believe he met a martyr’s end, his body returned here for burial. As one of the Haftan, Baba Yadegar remains a spiritual cornerstone for Yarsan adherents.
Getting There
Reaching the Baba Yadegar Shrine requires a journey from Kermanshah city:
- By Car: Drive 120 kilometers northwest to Kerend, then 48 kilometers northeast to Ban-Zarde. The route winds through Rijab, offering stunning mountain views.
- By Bus: Take a bus from Kermanshah to Kerend, then a local taxi or shared ride to the village. The site is open year-round, with no formal entry fee, though pilgrims often visit during Yarsan festivals.
Location
Nearby Attractions
Enhance your trip with these regional highlights:
- Yazdegerd Fortress (5 km): An ancient stronghold tied to Sassanid history.
- Rijab Valley (10 km): A scenic expanse of cliffs and rivers.
A Place of Faith and Memory
The Baba Yadegar Shrine transcends its stone walls and ancient trees—it’s a living link to Yarsan heritage. For pilgrims, it’s a sacred destination; for travelers, it’s a chance to witness a centuries-old tradition in a remote mountain setting. Whether you’re drawn to its spiritual weight or the quiet beauty of Ban-Zarde, this site offers a profound encounter with Iran’s cultural past. Plan your visit and stand where faith and history meet.
