Whirling Dervish Ceremony Tickets in Istanbul
Description
This is an authentic ritual with the original live sound and movement as in the former centuries in Istanbul. Regarding the performance at the ceremony, the classic sufi music is essential. It sets the tempo to the end and elevate the dervishes' mood. Then the whirling dervishes come forward to lift the curtain between the body and soul. All of the participants including the musicians (mıtraban) and performers (semazen) are local followers of the order. So, there is no acting performers in this ceremony. This special ceremony is, first and foremost, a poetic experience. The original name “Sema” has two meanings: the skies and hearing. The dervishes are raising their hands while whirling to feel the universe, its creation and motion. This is the way to reach maturity as a human being in an ecstatic moment full of love. Although it was never seen as the mainstream, the Mevlevi Order has been a significant part of this city of coexistence and we are here to keep it.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You are most welcome to witness the transcendental pray of the dervish and discover the spiritual face of Istanbul at a very special salon of a very traditional house neighboring Hagia Sophia. Join this mystical journey at an authentic place that reflects the old in Istanbul from the classical age of the Ottoman centuries! Feel the spiritual Istanbul while witnessing the ritual of Sufi Dervishes at the heart of the old town! Learn about the Mevlevi Order, a centuries-old old tradition of the followers of Rumi, the medieval poet from Konya!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(31)
Went with my husband and two kids. Really enjoyed this authentic experience and would recommend it. The explanation before and after the show was clearly explained and appreciated. Was very mesmerising. A little repetitive but that’s the whole point and is only for an hour.
Unique experience made more meaningful by the explanation given at the commencement of the event. Well managed performance and good length of time.
We arrived only to find it had been cancelled due to earthquake earlier that day. 23/04. Rescheduled for 24th but we had no other options and due to existing plans can not go on 24th.
The ceremony was held at 23th with more than 100 guests as usual. Moreover, 24th was Thursday, and there is no ceremony at Thursdays? What kind of misinformation is this?
really nice live music with historical sounds and you feel the elevation with the whirlign dervishes. the salon and the old house were also really beautiful.
Interesting twirling ability for an extended period of time by the four performers. The musicians were good too. However, the visuals were not explained as to why being shown.
It was a privalege to learn about and witness this religious practice. I feared that it would be more of a show than a ceremony, but it was performed with seriousness and dignity and felt authentic. I'm very glad to have attended.
Really not what we expected, quite short and little to no energy or atmosphere. Even the venue was odd. Actually difficult to stay awake. Definitely not entertainment or entertaining but might appeal to some interested in differing religions.
VERY disappointed. Not as advertised and DEFINITELY not whirling ( as in the explanation of wild : energetic dancing. ) noun: whirling dervish a member of a Muslim (specifically Sufi) religious order who has taken vows of poverty and austerity. Dervishes first appeared in the 12th century; they were noted for their wild or ecstatic rituals and were known as dancing, whirling., or howling dervishes . First of all we arrived early and was told my man on the door that the doors opened at 6.30 and the show started at 06.45. , which I thought was odd as it stated it started at 6.30 . We came back at 6.45 and found out that an explanation had been given on the dance. Then the musicians played and the actual dancers appeared at 6.50. By the time they started dancing it was 7 pm( I presumed they needed that time to get into a trance state for some fast wild and energetic dancing. NO wild and energetic dancing. VERY poor show. I have seen whirling dervishes in Cyprus and they were fascinating. NOT this group. Infact the one in the red hardly seemed in a trance , he kept touching his nose / face . It was my birthday day and I told my friends what a great sight whirling dervishes were and am so disappointed as NOT as described. I will point out I have NEVER put another bad review about an experience, I only put good reviews but this so annoyed me ( infact I told them at the end that I would be putting a bad review on ) . The man was polite and listened and took my details. ( I think he might have offered another show , I don’t know )
A very interesting ceremony. Life is a circle and as such we experienced it. The ceremony is represented in 4 stages and. The dancers I saw were for 4 different ages so I made my own interpretation of 4 important moments in a persons life. While the life keeps spinning we keep growing until we find our true selfs again. This is not a show but an opportunity to experience life through the eyes of Rummi through the Whirling Dervish’s. What they do requires a lot of practice and patience!!
This was a really interesting ceremony. It was good that we read up in advance to understand the basics of their beliefs. The intro done by the local expert was informative (but he should use a microphone). The whirling was so captivating and the live musicians were extremely talented. Value priced at 25 euro. We bought tickets across the street and down a bit from the venue. Really interesting.
