Whirling Dervish Ceremony

The mystical Sufi trance movements of the Whirling Dervishes will delight your senses and take you on a spiritual journey with the live music and graceful movements.

Inspired by Rumi, (Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi) more than 800 years ago, these movements of the Sema symbolize the mystic cycle to reach perfection. Every being and object in the universe revolves as man revolves with the Earth, as with the revolving movements of the Dervish. With his hat (his ego’s tombstone) and his white skirt (his ego’s shroud), he removes his black cloak and begins his spiritual whirl to transcend this world – reaching perfection. Each stage of the Sema is enchanting and awe-inspiring and the setting couldn’t be more perfect.

The performance is located inside a 13th century renovated Silk Road caravanserai. The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes with a quick slideshow about Turkey and a traditional religious beverage of serbet after the ceremony. The Dervishes also reappear after the ceremony to whirl for photos. The rate includes transportation from/to your area hotel and the entrance fee. Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted. The ceremonies take place in early evening.