The Bakhtiyaries and Anahita legend

After Iranian conversion to Islam, the worship of Anahita as goddess of love, fertility and rain in the pre-Islamic Iran was being forgotten, whoever, the trace of worshiping this goddess can be found in the stories and beliefs of Bakhtiyaris. In the Bakhtiyari region, Anahita is known as Dalou and in a ritual ceremony, Bakhtiyaries requested Dalou to rain. In addition, Dalou is the messenger of spring and facilitates the passing of winter and determines the condition of weather in the day of Nauruz Celebration. Protecting environment and wild life and fertilizing animals are also undertaken by Dalou . Such beliefs and places which were the temples of Anahita in the near and remote past, indicates the survival of the goddess among the Bakhtiyaris.