A tall, cylindrical or circular tower used by Zoroastrians to expose dead bodies to vultures and the elements as part of their religious funeral practices.
From Pahlavi Persian 'dakhma,' the Zoroastrian term for a structure used in their distinctive death ritual. The practice dates back thousands of years and remains culturally significant in modern Zoroastrian communities.
Parsis in India still maintain dokhmas because they believe allowing the body to return to nature through birds is the most respectful way to avoid polluting the earth or fire—it's an elegant solution that actually conserves resources!
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