Ardakan
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| Ardakan | |
  Ardakan
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Iran |
| Province | Yazd Province |
Ardakan or Ardekan (Persian: اردکان) is the second major city of Yazd province, Iran. It was established in the 12th century in the Zardug region. Ardakan is 60 kilometers away from Yazd and it has dry weather. In 2006, it had an estimated population of 61,596. [1]
The word "Ardakan" in Persian means "holy place" or "clean place" (Modern Persian: ardak+an / Middle Persian: artak+an) and the city has a lot of historical religious attractions such as the Grand Mosque of Ardakan (Masjed-e Jame’), Zire-deh Mosque, Emam-Zadeh Mir Seyyed Mohammad, and Tekyeh Bazar, among others.
This region is also one of the Zoroastrian centers of Iran, and there are numerous holy sites for Zoroastrians in Sharif-Abad, a village near Ardakan. Each year in the summer, thousands of Zoroastrians from around the world gather there for pilgrimage.
The most important shrine is Pir-e Sabz Chek Chek. Other shrines are include Pir Shah Eshtad Izad, Pir Shah Tashtar Izad, Pir Shah Mehr Izad, and Pir Shah Morad.
Ardakan is the birthplace of former Iranian president, Mohammad Khatami.
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