The temple structure, built spaciously, is well decorated and contains the Dasturji Kaiyoji Mirza hall and a museum.

Udvada, a small coastal village, of about 2 square kilometres (0.77 sq mi) area,[3] is on the southern coast of Gujarat.

It is 206 kilometres (128 mi) away from Mumbai towards the north, situated between Vapi town and Daman on the National Highway (NH8) which passes through Manor.

[3] Udvada Atash Behram is the oldest existing fire temple in India, representing a cultural and religious link with Iran.

[1] The Atash Bahram fire was consecrated at Sanjan from alaat (sacred implements for consecration) brought from Iran to India in 715, consequent to the migration of Zoroastrians in Greater Persia due to the persecution by the Islamic rulers who conquered that country; those who moved to India are called Parsis;[5][6] the earliest link of worship of the sacred fire in Zoroastrian temples are dated to the 4th-century BC.

In 1297, the Muslim ruler, Sultan Mahmud, invaded Gujarat and occupied the Sanjan area also; during this battle, the Parsis had sided with the Hindus but it was a lost cause.

[4] Due to security concerns created by Pindharas (nomadic robbers), it temporarily moved to Surat, and as the situation eased it was brought back to Navsari.

[4][8][12] The Atash Behram ("Iran Shah fire") is a symbolic representation of the Zoroastrian monarchy of Iran that was overthrown by Arabs[2]), which had been first established at Sanjan in the 90th year of the Yezdezardi era by the first Shehenshahi Zoroastrian immigrants in India, is now maintained at Udvada by their descendants;[14] these are nine families of priests who were descendants of the three priests who had retrieved the sacred fire from Sanjan to safety.

This involved the preservation of the heritage buildings including the fire temple in Udvada without allowing to make it a tourist hub.

[1] In Sanjan, the holy fire was placed in a traditional "altar-like pillar with hollow top" similar to those used in Iran.

[3] Newlywed couples also visit Udvada on pilgrimage, and on their behalf, their parents offer a machi (throne of wood to the fire[19]) at the temple.

The Parsi New Year, normally held in August, is also celebrated here when a large number of devotees flock to the shrine.

[3] On festive occasions, the Udvada shrine comes to life with large number of pilgrims engaged in buying sandalwood, flowers and other religious paraphernalia to offer to the fire.