Azerbaijan is exceptionally rich in surface gas seeps, some of which are alight. This gas flares which accompany the eruption of mud volcanoes are particularly impressive.
The burning flames have attracted people's attention since time immemorial, and they became an object of worship. This is shown by the numerous fire temples at Nush-Dzhan-Tepe, Adurgushnaep, Surakhany, Pirallahi, Hovsany, Shakhdag and elsewhere.
The history of fire worship in Azerbaijan and the neighbouring regions of Iran has its roots deep in the past, at the beginning of the first millenium A.D.
