Hamedan, Dec 8, IRNA - Head of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Office in Hamedan province said the old and valuable place of Esther and Mordecai tomb has been registered in country's national works list.

Asadollah Bayat told IRNA on Monday, Esther and Mordecai tomb is one of the historically important buildings in Hamedan as well as an important shrine for the Jews and one of the most ancient places in Iran.

He added the mausoleum built by stone and bricks and located in the central part of Hamedan city.

The provincial official continued, "In the main hall there is a Hebrew inscription up on the plaster work of the wall."

There are two exquisite wooden-tomb boxes one of which is from an earlier date and bears an inscription in Hebrew.

Bayat stressed, "Jews gather here in the middle of March every year, pray, fast and make a ceremony which is called "Yodim Ceremony".

Esther was an Achaemenian Queen and wife of King Xeroxes. Mordecai was her uncle.

... Payvand News - 12/09/08 ... --