Whirling Dervishes Ceremony: A Magical Experience

89 Ratings

Fatih

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Experience the mesmerizing Whirling Dervishes Ceremony in Istanbul, where dancers enter a state of hyper consciousness and maintain outstanding balance. Don’t miss this magical and unforgettable experience!

Duration: 50 minutes

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Kızlarağa Medresesi - The Mevlevi Sema ceremony is a Sufi ceremony that symbolizes the degrees of the path to Allah, contains religious elements and themes, and has detailed rules and qualities in this form. Mevlevi was the son of Mavlana Jalaluddin Rumi. It was performed in a disciplined manner starting from the time of Sultan Veled and Ulu Arif…

What's Included

Whirling Dervishes Ceremony

Additional Information

Experiencing the spectacle of whirling dervishes can shift your ordinary state of awareness, opening a window to a mystical universe.
Observing these dancers, possessed by an elevated state of consciousness while sustaining extraordinary equilibrium, is a breathtaking sight. Being a part of the Whirling Dervishes and the Mevlevi ceremony is certainly an…

Location

Kızlarağa Medresesi

Hoca Rüstem Sokak

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.4

(89 Ratings)

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Terrie_m

Nov 7, 2024

Amazing !! Loved it ! I... - Amazing !! Loved it ! I have been to the ceremony 2 times now and would go back again ! But would have liked to have some explaination of what the meaning of the movements were.

Review provided by Viator

Jairus_h

Oct 30, 2024

It’s for real and amazing - It was a legitimate show that was a form of worship but still fascinating. No Hollywood. Manipulation or fake dazzle. Absolutely loved it

Review provided by Viator

Ashley_r

Oct 13, 2024

Wonderful Performance - This was an hour long music and religious worship experience. It was very nice to see a piece of their culture this way. It was very beautiful. I do recommend doing a little google research before you go as nothing is explained there. We still enjoyed it very much. Well worth the money.

Review provided by Viator

Jennifer_d

Sep 24, 2024

Mesmerizing - This was a very short show and it took us almost as long to Uber to the show as the show was long. Our Uber dropped us off a couple blocks away and a kind English speaking gentleman, Faruk, walked us to the show. As we were walking, all of the shop and restauranteurs tried to get us to come in. Faruk said he was friend of the presenters of Whirling Dervishes and made sure we had tickets. I got tickets ahead of time. The show was interesting. The musicians used only 3 instruments and chanted some music. There were 3 Dervishes and it was mesmerizing once they started spinning. One of them looked like he was ill and having trouble keeping it together. He made it through. I’m glad we experienced this show.

Review provided by Viator

Tawhidatanyae

Sep 16, 2024

Exquisite Grace - This was an exquisite rendition of the traditional Mevlevi Sheb-i Arus ceremony. The musicians were harmonious with the whirling dervishes who floated in air. All of it was pure grace and Beauty in the name of God. Highly recommended to all visitors of Türkiye.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Michael_n

Oct 25, 2024

Whirling Dervishes - When the dervishes started whirling, it was great and very interesting to see. They only danced the last 15 minutes of the 50 minute show, so 35 minutes of the three piece band playing music and singing before they started.

Review provided by Viator

Wendyc745

Oct 22, 2024

Unique - Amazing experience, an explanation as to the spiritual aspects of the ceremony would have been appreciated. Well worth seeing.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Doreen

Nov 29, 2024

Dancers not serious - I felt this was not a true representation of the true ceremony the dancers seemed to be laughing and not serious the musicians were very good but not the three dancers i thought it should have been 4 dancers not three beed to be better

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Oriane_b

Nov 14, 2024

Not great.. overly priced and rude workers - We were placed just behind the musiciens : impossible for us to see anything. The man who placed us was rude to everyone.. did not seem to enjoy working there. Since we were just behind we also got our picture taken by all the tourists who were there, how great to have your face all over the internet without being asked. The show wasn't that great or spectacular. Would definitly not recommend.

Review provided by Viator

Downtheamazon

Oct 27, 2024

BORING - No better way to make 1 hour feel like 3. After half an hour of repetitive droning music the whirling begins. More like slow turning often interrupted with lots of bowing to each other. The crowd goes crazy shooting and videoing…for about 5 minutes before realizing that is all there is. Doors are sealed until it’s over so plenty of time to scroll on your phone. I can easily picture the 3 dervishes meeting up later for an after work beer. Better to just watch on Youtube.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

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