Whirling Dervish Ceremony

Take in the mystical world of the Sufi Whirling Dervishes in an ancient restored Silk Road caravanserai. Founded by Rumi (Mevlana Celaledin-i Rumi 1207-1273) in Konya, the ceremony symbolizes the spiritual aim to reach the source of all perfection, or kemal. This is achieved by abandoning one’s egos & personal desires and focusing on God while spinning in repetitive circles to music – a symbolic imitation of the planets orbiting the sun. Revolving from right to left around the heart, the Semazen embraces all humanity with love. The human being has been created with love in order to love.
The Whirling Dervish ceremony takes place nightly at the Sarihan Caravanserai, located about 15km from Goreme. The price includes transportation from/to your hotel, the entrance fee and a light beverage of Serbet, a religious drink after the ceremony. If you would like additional time to explore the Sarihan Caravanserai before the ceremony, please advise – otherwise you would have about 15-20 minutes to explore before seating for the ceremony begins. The ceremony begins at different times each season – usually around 20:30, returning to your hotel about 2 hours later.

Please note: Children under the age of 10 years are not permitted at this ceremony. The seating is within a large, restored caravanserai – it is “festival seating” or “first-come-first-seated” and a light jacket is suggested. Due to the religious nature of the ceremony, photography is not allowed during the ceremony.
If you have children under the age of 10 years or wish to take photos during the ceremony, please advise and I can explore other Whirling Dervish options in the area, however, the one at the Sarihan Caravanserai is truly the most beautiful and authentic of any ceremonies offered in Cappadocia.