Tehran – Head of the Kashan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Bureau said the Rosewater Distillation Ritual ceremony has been registered on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s National Tourism Calendar.
Alireza Abdollahzadeh added that the event was registered under 50404131 on May 3rd.
Rosewater extraction is the process of producing rose water. He said it is also a cultural and economic event that has transformed into one of the main axes of spring tourism in central Iran.
Rosewater, which earned from a huge copper pot, is the area’s most important souvenir, he added.
It has long been used in religious ceremonies such as the annual laundry at the Holy Shrine and pilgrimage pilgrimage rituals, he said.
He continued that traditional methods of rose water extraction have been preserved in surrounding villages. It is considered the country’s intangible heritage, he added.
The team’s ritual begins with a traditional oven lit up before sunrise and a copper pot containing Mohammadi roses placed on it, he said. He added, until the sunrise, until the pleasant scent spreads across the surrounding villages and cities.
Almost 30 kilograms of rose petals and 80 liters of water are poured into each pot connected to a metal pipe for steam to move to obtain a hydrosol. The waste of distillation is used to supply livestock and composting.
He said at the 891 meeting of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution in January 2023, Mohammadi Flowers and Rosewater Days were added to the country’s national calendar. Therefore, May 10 was considered Mohammadi Flower and Rosewater Day, he added.
Qamsar, Niasar and Barzak are one of the other destinations. Every corner of the area is filled with coloured dances and delicate rose scents from early May to mid-June.
The distillation of flowers and herbs has a deep history in Iran. Many believe that traditionally retained rosewater is of higher quality than factory-produced, perhaps due to the shorter time interval between harvesting and distillation practices.
Golab or Rosewater is actually a fragrant distillate of Mohammadi Roses, which can be used in cooking to season or consumed as a religious perfume.
Rosewater is produced from a very sweetly scented flower best known in the country as a Mohammadi rose.
Harvesting flowers is a somewhat intensive task. It mainly takes place from dawn to the morning.
It is said that delays in harvesting or transport to the distillery will reduce the amount and quality of essential oils.
Locals believe that rose oil and rose water have many therapeutic benefits, and rose oil can soothe the mind and soothe depression, sadness, stress and tension.
Such products are considered to reduce digestive system, healing colds and skin health issues.
Kashan embraces a wealth of scenic landscapes, historic locations and UNESCO-listed fingers, along with gardens from the Safavid and Kajal eras, houses of Tabatabaye, Borgeldi House, Ameli House, traditional bazaars and James Mosque in Kashan.
KD