Shiraz, the city of culture, love, literature, and poem, is home to the tomb of great Persian poets such as Hafez, Saadi, and Khajouye Kermani. Each of these tombs (Hafezieh and Saadieh) is suited in the beautiful gardens which are filled with the romantic and spiritual atmosphere. Iranians have much respect for the Persian poets especially Hafez who is famous for the lyrical poems and his sonnets about love and the celebration of wine. Hence, in memory of Hafez, a commemorative structure have been constructed known as Hafezieh_ a pleasant spot for relaxing and enjoying your time in peace and seclusion.
Fortune Telling by Birds!
When you head towards the Hafezieh, you step into a flagged floor street which is embellished with the towering trees and is scented with the sour orange trees. As you go on, you encounter children or old men who welcome you with a little bird and pages of Falls which is a special kind of fortune telling that you can only find in Iran. The bird picks a page up randomly from the volume of Hafez in which it is said what will happen in the future.
Experience Sense of Spirituality
Hafez is a prominent figure in the world literature that some of the great poets of the world such as Goethe were inspired by him and his poems. He is one of the greatest Persian poets whose Ghazals are popular among the Iranians. His Ghazals mostly ventilate love, wine, hypocrisy, and spirituality.
As you enter the mausoleum of Hafez, a sense of spirituality and love is palpable. The ravishing garden of the Hafezieh in the front, beguile any visitor. After passing through a passage which is surrounded by flowers on one side and the trees on the other side, you reach a hall with 20 pillars which is the highest part of the Hafezieh. Some excerpts of the Hafez poems grace some facades of the long verandah.
In front of you, the mausoleum of Hafez is surmounted by a dome in the shape of a Darvish’s hat which is ornamented with the colorful mosaics. The tombstone is also supported with eight columns that symbolically represent the century in which Hafez lived. You need to go up five stairs in order to get to the marble tombstone on which two of Hafez’s poems are stunningly inscribed. Additionally, various parts of the Hafezieh is decorated with his poems on the mosaics as well.
Divan-e-Hafez, a Memento
Behind the mausoleum, there is an area consists of several shops that sell handicrafts, jewelry, and the Divan-e-Hafez. You may be captivated by the colorful merchandise in the stores, and if you are looking for souvenirs to bring home, you can find them here. If you are eager to record the exotic and aesthetic value of the place, you can rent the traditional clothes at the place, and take beautiful pictures.
By the time you enter the Hafezieh, you can hear the traditional Iranian music playing over the place. Locals, lovers, beloveds and the university students are indigenous to the Hafezieh. People congregate to recite his poems and enjoy the environment. As you are perambulating the Hafezieh, you may be delighted when you see different groups of young people playing different musical instruments because they find this place exotic and inspiring.
The Place Where Love Flows
The attractions of the Hafezieh is not limited to its tomb and garden. The pools in different parts, as well as the tall trees and the various flowers, boost the beauty of the place. If you are looking for a place to refresh yourself, go to the surrounding ground. You can drink herbal tea, juice, eat Ash _something like broth and soup_ and also you can help yourself with “Faloode” at the place.
Do not miss its nights. The Tomb of Hafez is more beautiful at nights so that locals prefer to pay a visit to the place at nights. Locals also gather in the Hafezieh in some special ceremonies like Nowrouz and Yalda Night. On the whole, the Hafezieh is the place where love flows.
By: F. Cheraghi
Comments