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ANAHITA

Anahita she venerated as the divinity of 'the Waters' (Aban) and hence associated with fertility, healing and wisdom. She is patroness of women, as well as a goddess of war. Her name means "the immaculate one". She is portrayed as a virgin, dressed in a golden cloak, and wearing a diamond tiara (sometimes also carrying a water pitcher). The dove and the peacock are her sacred animals.

Sometimes called Aredvi Sura Anahita, a goddess also known through the Achaemenid inscriptions, who corresponded to the Indian Sarasvati. She was very popular and is one of the forms of the 'Great Goddess' which appears in many ancient eastern religions. She is associated with rivers and lakes, as the waters of birth. Anahita is sometimes regarded as the consort of Mithra.

With the emerging of Zoroastrianism, she was reduced to the status of a Yazata. However, her importance was rising once again in later timers. Thus, she is a member of the Ahuric Triad.

When Persia conquered Babylonia (in the 6th century BCE), Anahita began to show some similarities with the goddess Ishtar. Since then her cult included also the practice of temple prostitution. During the reign of king Artaxerxes (436-358 BCE) many temples were erected in her honor; in Soesa, Ecbatana, and in Babylon.


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