Konya, The Mevlana Festival & the whirling dervish

Konya was never high on my radar of must visits until Juana and I had a chit-chat. She explained that Konya was the birthplace of Rumi and the Maulavi sufi order, the Mevlana Festival was also taking place in December. I was sold, we were going.

Konya is an economic hub, reminded me lots of Singapore with its CBD's and rather boring flats. Every December though about 1mil people congregate here for the Mevlana Festival, I witnessed some of that million.

If you're a disciple of Sufism and Rumi, Konya will hold much appeal for you, me being neither if not for the spectacle of semah (the whirling dervish ritual) would find it perhaps a little hard to justify the visit.

The semah was a spectacle of color though, I have a feeling it is done in such a manner to hold attention. The ceremony begins with the head dervish walking out onto the floor followed by his deputy, then disciples. Next follows a worship session, then the whirling. The are 3 rounds of this whirling, followed by another prayer before it ends. Now the symbolism and meaning of semah I will allow you to research and read on your own.

The Mevlana Museum though I felt was a more worthwhile visit. It felt more reverential. The sarcophagus of Rumi, his son & family are all within the compound. There are also beautiful collections of calligraphy, Quran from revered scholars on display. The process of becoming a dervish was also well documented with dioramas.

All in all Konya to me was a quick pitsop. I will however say that I'm now intrigued enough to read more about Rumi, his way of life & teachings. On that account perhaps Konya did fulfill its purpose.

The travertines, Hieropolis, the spa city + pissing rain

I'm writing this post on the bus en route Konya for the Mevlana Festival, the wonders of smartphones aye?! But read on & be entertained.

The travertines are calcium deposits that form terraces on the mountainside. Looked at from afar, it appears as if snow. To visit the ruins through Hieropolis one must first traverse through these travertines, but barefoot as no shoes are allowed on them. Wohoo!! Now where do I sign up? It does however provide one with a sense of adventure ala Lois & Clark. The travertines are hard to the touch but the submerged ones feel like mud from the floor of Port Dickson. An experience nonetheless.

Hieropolis, the ancient spa city in Pamukkale dates back to 190BC. Hieropolis was a cure centre but sadly as witnessed by the abundance of tombs in Necropolis they may not have done such a stellar job.

The ruins are a sight though, I bet even more majestic in summer or spring with all the play of lights and no rain pissing on your parade. It's a royal pain in the arse walking through the rain with winds lashing, temperatures in the 7°C range.

As usual I shall not keep you, yes you my captive audience for long. May the pictures transport you to Pamukkale through my lense.