To understand Azerbaijan, one must understand the nation's sacred relationship with fire stemming from its ancient Zoroastrian roots. It was around 04:00 when the iron pot filled with river water began steaming, heated by the high flames burning in the ateshgah , a "fire temple" outside the remote, mountainous village of Khinaliq.  To us, a group of hikers about to embark on a long, snowy climb towards the peak of Mount Aliyev in northern Azerbaijan, this ever-burning fire fuelled by methane gas escaping from a crack in the ground had gained something of a sacred status.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230712-azerbaijan-the-caucasus-land-of-fire

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