Sufi mystic, Islamic scholar and poet Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi continues to affect and encourage his viewers. People from everywhere in the world flock to attend the annual celebrations held in his honor annually in Konya, referred to as the Mevlana Festival.
Known all through the world as Rumi, whereas in Türkiye, he’s known as Mevlana. The Thirteenth-century Persian poet is commemorated annually in Konya within the days main as much as the anniversary of his dying, which was on Dec. 17, 1273, with festivities and each day Sema ceremonies.
These ceremonies are carried out by Sufi members of the Mevlevi Order, which in English are known as the Whirling Dervishes. During the pageant, contributors have the chance to witness the sacred occasion every day.
This 12 months’s Mevlana Festival is scheduled to happen from Dec. 7 to 17. It is broadly thought to be the most effective time to go to the historic metropolis, which served as Rumi’s final resting place.
Annually, his dying is commemorated with the Şeb-i Arus ceremony, signifying the “Wedding Night” or the union of the soul with the divine. This ceremony has been expanded right into a 10-day pageant in Konya, the place Rumi spent most of his life and the place his mausoleum is situated. Today, his mausoleum is called the Mevlana Museum.
People from all corners of the world collect to go to Rumi’s Mausoleum on the precise date of his dying, which is well known on the night of Dec. 17. It’s a big and cherished occasion for many who admire and respect the legacy of this nice poet and mystic.
Separated by the spectacular Aziziye Mosque, the Konya Mevlana Cultural Center is the place the Sema ceremonies happen. These non secular Whirling Dervish ceremonies, known as dikhr and carried out in remembrance of God, maintain a particular place as they’re included in UNESCO’s listing of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
This visually spectacular and distinctive expertise unfolds in Konya, the very place the place the Mevlevi Order was fashioned by Rumi’s followers 750 years in the past, after his passing. It is a significant expertise and positively ranks as a type of bucket listing objects to test off when visiting Türkiye.
Here’s what it is advisable to know: Throughout the 12 months, Sema ceremonies that you could witness as a member of the viewers are held on Saturday evenings on the Konya Mevlana Cultural Center. However, through the Mevlana Festival, the classes are elevated to each day, and there are two classes on weekends.
Tickets for these completely different classes will be bought on-line, and costs vary from TL 100 to TL 200 ($3.50 to $7). Due to excessive demand, they have a tendency to promote out shortly. So, in the event you plan to attend, it is advisable to safe your tickets upfront.
In addition, students and non secular leaders usually conduct seminars and talks on Rumi’s teachings, philosophy and the relevance of Sufism in modern occasions.
Konya’s cultural venues could host creative performances, together with conventional Turkish music, poetry readings and exhibitions impressed by Rumi’s poetry and philosophy. Processions could happen within the streets of Konya, with contributors carrying banners, symbols, and pictures associated to Rumi and Sufi mysticism.
Where to go:
A sensory spectacle, the Sema Ceremony has dervishes wearing conventional white robes and tall conical hats participating in a mesmerizing repetitive spinning motion that symbolizes non secular ascent and reference to the divine.
The spinning dervishes are accompanied by conventional Sufi music and chanting and attending the occasion is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise and a spotlight of any journey to Konya.
While attending a Whirling Dervish efficiency on the Konya Mevlana Cultural Center is a given, additionally it is effectively price visiting the Mevlana Museum and Rumi’s Mausoleum, particularly in the event that they’re on the night of Dec. 17, which is the Şeb-i Arus” ceremony, which translates to “The Wedding Night” or “Night of Union” and symbolizes the union of Rumi with the divine.
Thousands of individuals collect on the Mevlana Müzesi, the place Rumi’s tomb is situated, to take part on this non secular celebration. The museum itself homes a wealthy assortment of Rumi’s manuscripts, artifacts, musical devices, and reveals about Sufism. Pilgrims usually interact in prayer and reflection inside the peaceable environment of the museum.
The Konya Archaeological Museum (Konya Arkeoloji Müzesi) showcases artifacts from the area’s various historical past, spanning from the prehistoric period to the Byzantine and Seljuk durations.
Karatay Medresesi is a historic madrasa, constructed through the Seljuk interval that now homes the Tile Museum (Çini Eserler Müzesi), with an beautiful assortment of tiles and ceramics from completely different durations, showcasing the artistry of Turkish craftsmanship.
An architectural gem, the Ince Minaret Medrese dates again to the Thirteenth century. Its intricate Seljuk design and the minaret, adorned with turquoise tiles, make it a visually beautiful website.
Situated on the hill overlooking Konya, Alaeddin Mosque is without doubt one of the metropolis’s oldest and most important mosques. The advanced features a mosque, a theological faculty (madrassa), and the stays of the Seljuk palace.
Constructed through the Ottoman interval, Selimiye Mosque is thought for its spectacular Ottoman structure. The mosque options a big courtyard and a hanging dome, making a serene environment for worship.
Konya can be house to the shrine of Shams Tabrizi, the non secular companion and mentor of the poet Rumi. The shrine attracts guests in search of non secular connection and inspiration.
Konya additionally has a number of historic Turkish baths the place guests can expertise the standard ritual of cleaning and leisure. These hammams usually characteristic beautiful Ottoman structure.
Located in Selçuklu, the Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden (Konya Tropikal Kelebek Bahçesi) is housed in a powerful trendy butterfly-shaped constructing and has an expansive indoor backyard showcasing 60 varieties of butterflies.
It’s a pleasant spot for nature lovers and households to be immersed in a lush atmosphere with colourful butterflies. Lastly, the Japon Bahçesi is an excellent Japanese backyard and a peaceable spot to take a respite from the bustle of town.
Located simply exterior Konya, the Çatalhöyük Archaeological Site is without doubt one of the world’s oldest recognized settlements, courting again to round 7500 B.C. The archaeological website offers a glimpse into prehistoric life and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What to purchase and take a look at:
Konya is thought for its Mevlevi delicacies, impressed by the culinary traditions of the Mevlevi Order (Whirling Dervishes). Delight your style buds with specialties like etli ekmek (a skinny, crispy meat and bread dish), Mevlana çorbası (Mevlevi soup) and varied native kebabs. Try sıkma, which in Konya is a standard dessert made with grape molasses and tahini, served with walnuts or sesame seeds.
As for items, Konya is thought for its meerschaum stone, a tender and white materials that’s supreme for intricate carvings. Skilled artisans within the metropolis create lovely meerschaum objects, equivalent to pipes, jewellery and ornamental objects.
The metropolis has an extended custom of carpet weaving and carpets and kilims from Konya are extremely prized for his or her high quality and distinctive designs with vibrant patterns and colours. Konya can be recognized for its high-quality leather-based merchandise, together with sneakers, baggage and equipment.
Source: www.dailysabah.com