Anahita was the ancient Persian goddess associated with water, fertility, and healing.
Her full Avestan name, Arədvī Sūrā Anāhitā, describes a powerful, immaculate female divinity connected with flowing waters. In later Persian tradition, Anahita became especially important in royal and temple worship.
Anahita was not the same deity as Mithra, who was associated with covenants, light, and later became important in the Roman mystery cult. She was also distinct from Tishtrya, a star deity linked with rain in Zoroastrian tradition.
Archaeological and written evidence shows that Anahita worship became prominent during the Achaemenid and especially Sasanian periods. Several rulers, including Artaxerxes II, appear to have promoted her cult alongside Ahura Mazda and Mithra.