Istanbul: Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show & Exhibition

Quite a mystical experience when connected. The essence of one-ness and submission portrayed spiritually in the Dervish/Sufi way. Very enthralling with good ambience and limited seating. Slightly high priced though. Overall, a must-see session as thoroughly felt the message, whilst being drawn with the whirling and the chants.

The show is a bit expensive but it was a very interesting cultural experience. The Turkish music by itself was already enthralling, and the dervish was very touching to watch.

Held in a relatively small space, three or four rows of seats starting less than a meter away from the “stage” area, this sharing of a spiritual practice (not a “show”) stirred us deeply… There was such ineffable beauty radiating from those five men… A full display of vulnerability and tenderness, and much more emotions just under the surface! One looked like a proud, young practitioner, another one seemed deeply lost in ecstatic love while twirling, the third one apparently struggling with inner tension yet deep in his practice, and the “leader” probably done with all those stages of his quest, and possibly approaching inner peace while caring for his companions… The cliché phrase “words can’t describe it” is actually so appropriate! And with one hour in total, the full experience was even accessible to my 9 years old nephew, who did not have time to get bored! I couldn’t recommend more to anyone with even the slightest opening to joy!