Its a common question by travelers to Turkey " Where can I see whirling dervishes?". or " I want to watch a ceremony but non touristic one." Umm..I am sorry but you cant!
Its simply because this is a not touristic show or entertainment. It has a spiritual meaning same as a Buddhist monk's meditation. These guys try to feel closer to God by this way so they meditate by whirling.Dont worry! They are trained for it so they do not feel sick.
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| I feel like whirling |
It is considered a mystical transformation and in Turkey; it is a great introduction to Anatolian mysticism.
Dervishes are follower of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, a Turkish Philosopher. Who was Rumi? Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi was the great Anatolian mystic, poet and the
father of the Sufism philosophy. He was born in 1207 in the city of Balkh, Horasan.
After his education, he settled in
Konya
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| The Tomb of Mevlana in Konya, Turkey |
“Rumi is one of
the great humanists, philosophers, and poets who belong to humanity in its
entirety”
After the death of Rumi, followers in Turkey
formed the Mevlani branch of Sufism otherwise known as the whirling dervishes
of Konya
What is
Sufism?
Sufism is existent in
several continents. It is the belief that a person does not have to wait for
the afterlife to be closer to God. They have the power to achieve a state of
inner peace, show kindness and generosity and this brings them closer to God in
this life.
Still wanna watch them? You can see the Whirling
Dervishes in many locations including Istanbul, Konya and Cappadocia. Here are some venues where you can watch symbolic ceremony
Hodja Pasha Cultural Center : Its located in historical peninsula (Sultanahmet) of Istanbul. They serve in a 550 year old Turkish bath converted to a Cultural center.
E-Mail : info@hodjapasha.com
Adress: Ankara Cad. Hocapasa Hamam Sokak No: 3.B Sirkeci/Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 511 46 26 - +90 212 511 46 36
Dede Efendi House : Its also located in Sultamahmet area and has performences on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It starts around 7pm and lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes.
E-Mail : info@dancesofcolours.com
Addess : Cankurtaran, Ahırkapı Sk., No:17, Sultanahmet / İstanbul (Next to Armada Hotel)
Phone : +90 554 797 26 46
Saruhan Caravanserai : If you want to enjoy the ceremony in a very authentic place then you must do it in Cappadocia. This one thousand year-old caravanserai host ceremonies everyday.
E-Mail : info@sarihan1249.com
Address: Saruhan Culture Center Yeni Kayseri Yolu 6.km Avanos Nevsehir, Cappadocia
Phone: +90 384511 37 95
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