Village of Khorheh in Markazi Province
This article will take you to the ancient village of Khorheh in Iran's Markazi Province. Thanks to some historic monuments being located in Khorheh, the village is worth visiting from the viewpoint of tourism.
The ancient village of Khorheh is located in a mountainous area North East of the city of Mahalat in Markazi province. It has an altitude of 1590 meters above sea level, it has a mild moderate weather in springs and falls, and is hot in summers and cold and dry in winters. A seasonal river with the same name passes near the village and there are two mountains in the west and south of the area, named Surakh-Gav, and Khor-Zarrin, respectively. According to the census carried out in the year 2006 there live more than 1500 people in Khorheh village; they speak Farsi and are Shiite Muslims. In comparison with other villages in the region, Khorheh is home to more literate people.
Archeological studies in Khorheh plain indicate that this region had been used for residential purposes at least from the 2nd century BC. It seems that one of the reasons for choosing the area for settlement by the ancient people was its having fertile soil, appropriate weather, and a rich hunting resort. Due to its having many invaluable historic monuments, Khorheh has time and again undergone scientific investigations. It is worth mentioning that some well-known archeologists such as Ernst Emil Herzfeld, Roman Ghirshman, and Jacob Vandenberg have visited this village and expressed different views on it. The first scientific researches on Khorheh were conducted about 55 years ago and some other excavations have been done since then. According to the remarks made by Dr. Mehdi Rahbar, head of these researches, monuments related to the Ashkanid, Sassanid, and Ilkhanid eras can be found in the area.
The economy of Khorheh village is based on animal husbandry and agricultural activities, and some residents of the village work in the field of servicing and handicrafts. Owing to the variation of weather and soil, a wide range of agricultural products and like sesame, cotton, wheat, barley, alfalfa, pomegranate, walnut, apple, and grapes are planted and produced in Khorheh. Green pastures and prevalence of animal husbandry lead to production of meat and high-quality dairy products in the region. Some plants with medicinal and alimentary effects are also cultivated in the farms of the village some of which are borage, pennyroyal, fumitory, thyme, yarrow, wild rue, and milk-vetch. In addition to the variety in flora, various species of animals can be found around the village such as jackal, wolf, fox, rabbit, and partridge.
The high village of Khorheh has a dense residential context and its houses are mostly built in one storey and rarely in two. These houses have flat roofs and are built of stone, brick, clay, and wood. However, in construction of more modern houses materials such as brick, cement, iron, and plaster are used. The beautiful architecture and old monuments of this village attract many tourists and travelers each year.
Among these valuable historic monuments are the remnants of a temple with two tall columns. As per some early researches many archeologists have been of the opinion that this temple dates back to the Seleucid era. However, the latest archeological investigations have provided evidence to the fact that the said temple used to be in a house of an upper class family in the Ashkanid period and was renovated and reconstructed in the Sassanid era. With an area of 3 thousand meters the building has two inner and outer sections with two separate entrances. The existence of such sections in the building proves its being built in the Ashkanid era. This building has been registered in the Iran's National Heritage list.
It is note-worthy that since there were no windows in the ancient buildings of the village of Khorheh, it seems that the light was let in from the roof.
What has made Khorheh village one of the tourist attractions of Markazi province is it’s being situated in a high-altitude area; it’s enjoying unique magnificent sceneries, pure weather, green nature, and also ancient historical monuments.
In addition to the previously mentioned Ashkanid building, there are other important historical monuments in Khorheh; such as a huge stone inscription dating back to the Seljuk period. Another building that is eye-catching from the standpoint of architecture is the mausoleum which is said to hold graves of three grandchildren of Imam Kazem (PBUH), the seventh infallible Imam and successor of Prophet Muhammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny). This mausoleum has seven porches and roofs covered with wooden sticks, and a conic dome. It dates back to the Timurids period and has been renovated many times.
From among natural attractions of the village, mention can be made of Shah-Bolbol cave located on the mountains between Khorheh and Delijan. There is also another cave named Surakh-Gaav in which a spring gushes. Vazvaan or Shureh spring also has added to the village's beauty and fascination.
The unique geographical situation of Khorheh has placed this village near to two other Iranian provinces of Isfahan and Qom. Diversity in animal husbandry and agricultural activities, and flora and fauna of the region, connection roads and facilities, and the cultural background of its residents have all contributed to make Khorheh a proper place for establishment of the first “Iranian Native Knowledge Research Station." This research center has put on top of its agenda creation of an active network of native experts. This way, the road of research is paved for academics and other people interested in native knowledge.
The inhabitants of Khorheh have stuck to and preserved special customs and traditions. One of them is a traditional ceremony called Oho-oho carried out on the night before 15th of the holy month of Ramadhan on the Islamic lunar calendar. In this ceremony, the teenagers get together in groups and some of them go to other villagers’ doors and sing folkloric songs. They address the youngest son of the family and sing a song including his name. In the end the family gives the group some nuts, sweets, money or the like.
And finally tourists and travelers visiting Khorheh can take souvenirs like small rugs and carpets, woolen socks, dried fruits, grapes, and dairies from the village. Khorheh is accessible via the cities of Mahallat and Delijan.
Source: irib.ir
