Translations:Ḏušarē/21/en

Places Associated with Ḏušarē

Dushara is directly mentioned in 9 Nabataean inscriptions in Petra, more than any other deity, and in 206 Safaitic inscriptions making Him the 3rd most popular deity among Safaitic nomads. He is even found all the way to the Gulf of Naples in Pureoli where an open-air temple was built around 54 BC by a person named Banhoba. Located inside the temple is an altar and three marble bases which each bear the same inscription in Latin: "DVSARI SACRVM" (Dushara's shrine). There's also mention of an offering of two camels. Dushara's cult even found its way to Egypt as well, possibly Tell ed-Defenneh, and to some Greek islands. Though these trading colonies declined after the annexation of the kingdom by Rome, Dushara's worship continued in the Nabatean realm. Dushara had many local manifestations such as Dushara-A'ra of Bostra, Dushara of Gaia, Dushara of Madras, and various priesthoods set up at Imtan, Bostra and Umm al-Jimal. Dushara was also the protector of a large rock-cut tomb complex in Wadi Turkmāniyyah which was a ḥaram (sacred space) dedicated to Him, his mōtab and all the Gods. A ḥaram is a sacred space that provides protection for trees, animals, and even fugitives. This particular mōtab was not an altar but the mountain landscape of Petra itself as the seat of the God.