Pocket guide to Iran

Guide to Zarthoshtrian Historical Places in Iran compiled by Aspandyar S. Gotla. Fourth edition published in 2013 by the author, B/9, Anand Vihar, St Martin’s Cross Road, Bandra (W), Bombay 400050. Pp: xxv + 218. Price: Rs 200.
With so many tours being conducted to Iran every year by various tour operators, many Zoroastrians feel there is a need for a small pocket guide to help acclimatize them before, and during, their visit. This vacuum has been filled by the fourth edition of Guide to Zarthoshtrian Historical Places, compiled by Aspandyar Sohrab Gotla, which is more comprehensive than the previous three editions.
Gotla’s booklet is divided into various sections — each dealing with a particular aspect of the country. The first section deals with general information, such as the two airports in Iran, the public transport available (buses, taxis, trains and the underground metro), the currency of Iran (Iranian rials) and the various hotels and pazireshgahs (dharamshalas) with their updated telephone numbers and addresses.

Clockwise from top: Doorway to Pir-E-Sabz in Yazd; cover of book; statue of King Shapur at

For those interested in history, the second section talks, in brief, about the various communities who invaded and lived in Iran — right from the Elamites, the Medes and the Achaemenians, to the Zands, Qajars and Pahlavis.
The next few sections deal with the geography and climate of Iran, along with the culture — its lifestyle, language, population, famous poets and numerous festivals.
Subsequent sections list various sightseeing places in Iran, such as the Caspian Coast, Hamadan, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Shiraz, to name a few. Each section and sub-section has been clearly outlined on the contents page, making it easy for the reader to find exactly what he/she is looking for, quickly.
Gotla has also provided a list of the entry fees charged by palaces and museums in Iran, thereby ensuring that the reader is not overcharged at any of these sightseeing places. He has further given a list of Farsi words and phrases used in everyday conversation, which is extremely helpful to communicate with the locals, as most people there do not speak English at all.
A detailed map of Iran, outlining roads and railways will prove useful for those who wish to travel in small groups or with friends and family. Color pictures at the end add life to an otherwise text-heavy booklet; however, the reader would perhaps have been able to associate with different places better had the pictures and text been incorporated side by side.
The booklet also gives information about several places and sites that are usually not covered by the tours and pilgrimages to Iran. It will come in handy for those interested in making a trip to our spiritual motherland in future. And for those who don’t, it provides a beautiful glimpse into our motherland’s culture, traditions and monuments.