Tourists to Iran keen to experience a rustic Zoroastrian ambience are invited to visit Nartitee, the eco lodge started by the young couple Tina Namiranian and Ramtin Shohrat. Located in the Rahat Abad village between Yazd and Taft, the popularity of Nartitee has been increasing with Trip Advisor as also Lonely Planet giving them a good rating.
Concerned that many native Zoroastrians are moving away from the ancient rural strongholds and opting to migrate to urban locales or foreign territories, Namiranian and Shohrat, after their marriage in 2016, renovated Shohrat’s grandfather’s residence and converted it into a guesthouse that can accommodate 25 visitors. The original ethos of the place though was retained with great care. During peak season they have 300 visitors a month, and during off-season there are around 100 visitors. "Around 10% of our guests are Zoroastrians,” stated Namiranian in response to Parsiana’s queries.
Top: Tina Namiranian (l) and Ramtin Shohrat; above: Nartitee retains rustic ambience
Above: Maidyozarem room; right: flavors and amenities offered at Nartitee
"Our sweet home located in one of the most peaceful places on earth… is overflowing with history and character and also proudly cherishing a 2,500-year-old culture,” notes the website of Nartitee. "An experience lies in every corner of the home that invites you… The home has a taste of fire and smells of fresh bread. Here, the pomegranate and tamarind trees… sing a song and dance with the wind. Here, everything is in communion with nature. You are encouraged to reconnect with nature too.” As explalined by Namiranian, "Nartitee means blossom of pomegranate and we are in Taft that is famous for its pomegranates.”
Assuring guests a peep into the "Iranian lifestyle,” in her speech at the 11th World Zoroastrian Congress, on June 2, 2018 Namiranian mentioned how "Ramtin’s grandmother teaches guests how to bake.” An article on Nartitee in the Congress brochure stated, "We inform people about our ancient traditions, regional culture and history and invite them to take part in and attend our ceremonies and prayers such as gahanbar and jashan.”
The abode has six functional rooms named after the six seasonal gahanbars or Persian feasts that celebrate generosity, friendship and humanity. The Maidyozarem (mid-spring) room accommodates five people and is located in the middle yard. It has one door and a window, and many shelves. The Maidyoshahem (mid-summer) room in the main courtyard that can accommodate four guests has a narrow entrance but there is a window facing the pomegranate garden. Paitishahem (end of summer) room in the main courtyard is the largest room with a large door. It can accommodate five people. The white Ayathrem (autumn) room for four guests has two doors, one to the hallway and another facing the courtyard, and a big closet too. Likewise the Maidyarem (mid-year) room is white and can house four guests. Finally the Amas-pathmaidyem (equal day and night) room has a window facing the garden and its doors open to the courtyard. It is located above the other rooms and has a small shelf where water is stored. It can accommodate three visitors. The rooms in greatest demand are Maidyoshahem and Ayathrem. They charge € 15 (Rs 1,200) per person per night inclusive of breakfast, tea and wifi.
The most sacred space at Nartitee though is the Purity (Clean) Room that commemorates the deceased members of the family. The room is used by priests for ritual ceremonies.
The humble abode "has nothing to show off,” states their website whilst alerting prospective guests that there is no bed but bed linen is available. They provide mattresses, assures Shohrat. Neither is there television "since we believe in communicating.” The hallway, middle yard, toilets and bathrooms feature in the common areas.
If intimated in advance, the owners arrange to receive guests in Yazd. They also organize half and full day sightseeing tours of neighboring villages of Cham known for its gigantic cypress trees, Mobarakeh, that has the ancient dakhma and cypress trees and Zein Abad that is famous for its fire temple and cistern. Another attraction is the Farashah or palm grove that also has pomegranate trees. Bike riding opportunities around the narrow streets can also be arranged.
"By selling food and handicrafts created by local Zoroastrians we are not only promoting our culture but making our village more attractive to our peers to come and live here,” state the enterprising couple. Twenty-seven-year-old Namiranian has done her masters in geology while 28-year-old Shohrat has done his masters in tourism marketing. Besides the couple that is involved full-time in running the lodge with the support of their family, they have also hired three other employees. Rather than see empty houses in the neighborhood sold to non-Zoroastrians, they hope "to return the empty villages to life and encourage Zoroastrians to move back to the residence in-herited from the older ge-neration.” Offering help to anyone who wants to return to their village, their goal is to keep "Zoroastrian culture alive.”