The city of Konya in central Turkey is the home of whirling dervishes. These devotees of Islamic poet and philosopher Celaleddin Rumi offer worship in the form of spinning dances.
Konya, Turkey
When most people think of Turkey bucket list destinations, a few obvious ones spring to mind – Istanbul, Turquoise Coast hotspots like Bodrum or the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia.
Yet for some travellers, number one on the list is a place few people from many parts of the world have heard of – Konya.
This city in central Turkey draws millions of visitors every year. With good reason – it’s a charming place with a bustling bazaar, historic landmarks and a modern tram network that speeds people from suburbs to center. But it’s also a place of Islamic pilgrimage.
Konya is probably best known as the final resting place of 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet Celaleddin Rumi (later known as Mevlâna). As well as being a renowned Islamic scholar, Rumi launched the Mevlevi Order of the Whirling Dervishes.
The dervishes, who offer worship in the form of spinning dances that kick out their elegant robes as they move gracefully across the floor, are still going strong. And while they can be seen in various locations across Turkey, Konya is the beating heart of their activities.
Their mesmerizing “Sema” ceremonies, many of which are open to the public, make a trip to Konya worthwhile, but there are plenty of other reasons to go for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
“There is an inseparable bond between Konya and His Holiness Maulana,” says Kerem Polat, 30, a whirling dervish living in Konya who learned the ceremonial dances from his grandfather and began performing when he was nine years old. Source: CNN.COM
