Yardna

Unlike in Islam, Christianity, or Yazidism, no earthly geographic location is exclusively considered to be sacrosanct in Mandaeism. This is because Mandaeism does not have shrines, holy sites, or pilgrimage sites tied to specific geographical locations, since any river with flowing water can be used for religious rituals.

Examples of yardnas

Although etymologically related to the Canaanite word yarden (Hebrew: ירדן), or the Jordan River, a yardna in Mandaeism can refer to any flowing river. Traditionally, these were typically the Euphrates (Mandaic: Praš), Tigris (Mandaic: Diglat), and Karun (Mandaic: ʿUlat) rivers. The Euphrates is called Praš Ziwa (ࡐࡓࡀࡔ ࡆࡉࡅࡀ; pronounced Fraš Ziwa) in the Ginza Rabba. In Mandaean scriptures, the Euphrates is considered to be the earthly manifestation of the heavenly yardna or flowing river (similar to the Yazidi concept of Lalish being the earthly manifestation of its heavenly counterpart).

In Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, Lake Quinsigamond (the source of the Quinsigamond River) is used as a yardna for baptism. In San Antonio and Austin, Texas, the Guadalupe River is the main yardna used.

In Australia, the Nepean River (utilized by Wallacia Mandi) and the Georges River are the yardnas that are most commonly used by Mandaeans. In Sweden, particularly during the winter, indoor pools with flowing water are used as ritual yardnas in mandis.