Real Dervish Sema Ritual in Istanbul for free

As you may know, dervish lodges, madrasas and similar institutions and their rituals were outlawed during Ataturk's secularization campaign but the current AKP government has softened the rules, allowing for institutions like Yenikapi to reemerge. It was completely restored a few years ago and is quite beautiful. And more importantly it regularly host a whirling dervish ceremony, a sema, a sufi whirling. 

An authentic Dervish experience in Istanbul

Dervish Ceremony in Istanbul
So if you seek out the real thing, you should attend one of the dervish ceremonies held by the Mevlevi Sufi Lodge at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet University Istanbul. That one is not a dervish ceremony which is put on for tourists in various location around the sightseeing spots, but the real thing, a real authentic ceremony by a real Mevlevihane (Mevlevi Sufi Lodge). 
The Sema Dervish Ritual is normally held every two weeks on wednesdays, the actual dates can be found in the calendar of performances.The performance starts punctual and you should be there early, latest half an hour before it starts, to make sure to get a spot. The entry is free, and the ceremony takes about 90 minutes. Woman should be prepared to cover their head and legs, even though it is normally not enforced. 

 Some impressions from the Dervish Ceremony at Fatih Sultan Mehmet University

DIRECTIONS
Tram T1 or the Metrobus to CEVIZLIBAG station. After that it's a 5 minute walk.
Address: Topkapı Yerleşkesi Merkez Efendi Mh. Mevlevihane Cd. No:25 34015 / Zeytinburnu - Istanbul / TURKEY
Fatih auf einer größeren Karte anzeigen
Location: Istanbul, Türkei

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