Little Kourosh, in the solitude of Mithradates's simple hut at the foot of the majestic Behistun, after having drafted the governmental and military structures of his dream empire, now turned his mind toward its spiritual pillar: the religious organization. With the knowledge he had brought from the twenty-first century, he understood well that a great empire does not remain stable with only sword and law; rather, it requires a common spirit that binds its peoples together, from the Persians and Medes to the Babylonians and Egyptians. With this in mind, inspired by the history and the future he had seen, he took up his pen and wrote a book titled "The Light of the Divine: A Guide to Religion and State." His goal was to unite all the religions of his vast realm under the umbrella of the Zoroastrian faith and the worship of Ahura Mazda, but not through force and suppression, but with respect for diversity and intelligent convergence. He wanted Ahura Mazda to shine like a sun upon all other deities, uniting them in the shadow of his light. This book was not just a religious text, but a charter for coexistence that blended the ethical principles of Zoroastrianism—Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds—with respect for other beliefs.
Kourosh thought about the ancient beliefs of his people; how from time immemorial, people believed that the closer they got to the sky, the closer they were to the gods. This belief was rooted in the tall ziggurats of Mesopotamia, structures that housed temples at their peak to carry prayers to the heavens. In the Zagros and Alborz mountains as well, his ancestors built temples atop mountains to worship in the silence of nature and to seek light and wisdom from the deities. He remembered the sacred mountains of the world: Mount Fuji in Japan, where pilgrims ascended for spiritual purification; Mount Sinai, where prophets received revelations; and Mount Olympus, which was the home of the gods in Greek mythology. Kourosh knew that his empire also needed such a symbol; a place that would be the spiritual heart of his realm and would gift unity to its people. Therefore, he chose Mount Damavand, the highest peak in Iran, which was tied to heroes and deities in Persian mythology. In ancient tales, Damavand was the place where Fereydun, the mythical hero, chained Zahhak, and this sacred status made it the obvious choice for the spiritual center of the empire.
Damavand, with its snow-capped peak and halo of clouds, seemed like a bridge between earth and sky. Kourosh decided to build a complex of magnificent temples on the slopes of this mountain, each dedicated to the gods worshipped in the empire: a temple for the Persian Mithra and Anahita, a temple for the Babylonian Marduk, a temple for the Egyptian Amun, and even a temple for the Greek Zeus. These temples were not only a symbol of his religious tolerance but also showed that all these deities were manifestations of Ahura Mazda and could be respected in his shadow. He imagined a "Road of the Gods," a wide, paved avenue starting from the foot of the mountain, flanked on both sides by temples with the native architecture of each culture: a Babylonian temple with blue and gold glazed bricks, an Egyptian temple with tall columns adorned with hieroglyphic reliefs, and a Greek temple with marble statues displaying classical splendor. This diversity would show the people of the empire that their identity was respected, yet all were united in a common purpose—serving Ahura Mazda and the empire. Kourosh even ordered lush gardens to be planted between the temples as a symbol of the harmony between nature and spirituality.
In the midst of this complex, Kourosh designed the great Zoroastrian fire temple at a higher elevation, far from public access but close to the peak. This fire temple, with walls of white Persian marble and a golden dome that reflected the sunlight, was the beating heart of the Zoroastrian faith. The sacred fire within it, which was never extinguished, was a symbol of the light of Ahura Mazda and eternal purity. The Magi would perform the main ceremonies in this place, and its light, it seemed, would reach the entire empire. The peak of Damavand, however, was too sacred for any human foot to reach except for the chief Magi. This place was a paradise for meditation and spiritual purification; a place where the wise could connect with Ahura Mazda in silence and seek divine wisdom to guide the nation. Kourosh had ordered the paths leading to the peak to be paved with smooth stones, but only the chief Magi and special pilgrims were allowed to ascend, and this restriction preserved the sanctity of the peak.
During one of the construction days, Kourosh himself came to Damavand. He spoke with the Babylonian architects about the lighting of their temples, asked the Egyptian priests to describe their rituals, and listened with wonder to the Greek mythological stories. This interaction not only won their loyalty but also showed that he was a leader who valued cultures. He listened carefully to the architects' suggestions and asked them to incorporate elements of their own culture into the designs, such as Persian reliefs depicting mythological stories or Egyptian columns decorated with brilliant colors. This respect captivated the priests and architects, so much so that one of the Babylonian priests later said, "This man, it is as if Ahura Mazda himself sent him to guide us from darkness to light." Kourosh also ordered that each temple have a small library to preserve and study the religious texts of each culture, an idea that stemmed from his modern knowledge of the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
At the inauguration ceremony, representatives of the religions gathered: a Persian Magus kindled the sacred fire, a Babylonian priest recited the prayer of Marduk, and an Egyptian monk whispered the invocation of Amun. Then, they all ascended together to the Zoroastrian fire temple and bowed before the sacred fire; a moment that sealed the unity of the empire in the heart of Damavand. This ceremony was accompanied by the sound of Persian music and local dances from across the realm, and Kourosh himself stood among the people and spoke with them as if he were one of them. In his speech, he said, "These temples are the houses of Ahura Mazda and your gods. Together, we are one family, and Damavand is the witness to this bond." These words, delivered with a clear voice and a passionate heart, made the people's hearts tremble and doubled their loyalty to him.
He also established an annual festival at Damavand, the "Festival of the Divine Light," where people from all over the realm would come to Damavand on foot. This festival was accompanied by prayer, sacrifice, music, and athletic competitions; a competition in which young people competed in the name of their gods, from Persian archery to Babylonian wrestling. This event strengthened the sense of solidarity among the people and turned Damavand into a symbol of common identity. Kourosh had ordered that during this festival, free food be distributed among the pilgrims and tents be set up for temporary accommodation so that no one would be deprived of this spiritual experience. He even arranged educational programs for children to learn mythological stories and Zoroastrian values, and this initiative linked future generations to his ideals.