My fascination with Mevlevi elements is primarily spatial in origin. It stems from my discovery of the Galata Mevlevi Lodge during my high school years. This peaceful garden amidst the chaos of Beyoğlu was our resting place with my best friend before embarking on our adventures on Friday evenings. We had explored the interior of the building, but what truly captivated us was the garden itself. We literally recharged here, escaping the monotonous rhythm of classes before experiencing the fluctuating frequency of fun.
Although I later came to know Rumi and Shams, I was never a dedicated reader or a genuine follower. In fact, my relationship with spirituality remained quite distant until recently; I defined myself more as a woman of reason and science. But my interest in art and being an architect allowed me to take a look at this vast body of work.
Years later, my trip to the Galata Mevlevi Lodge brought back memories of my early youth. We enjoyed exploring the space, which had been transformed into a small museum. But it was primarily the hours I spent in the garden that brought back the feeling of that tranquility and peace. In the evening, we stayed for the Sema ceremony, crowning this journey through time with a feast that touched the heart not only visually but also through sound and breath.
Ever since that day, I’ve wanted to go to Konya, and especially to the Şeb-i Arus ceremony. In fact, I had to cancel my plane tickets the previous year because I couldn’t find tickets to the ceremony. This year, however, I didn’t miss the opportunity of the tatilbudur.com tour. I organized the girls and planned a trip to Konya with a group of five.
Program
We took the train to Konya very early in the morning, and had the opportunity to see many places during the rest of the day. After the Şeb-i Arus ceremony in the evening, we stayed at our comfortable hotel. The next day we traveled around again by bus until the train hour in the afternoon. It was a packed and a very satisfactory program. Only on the second day, around noon, as a group we separated from the group. Having had a full buffet breakfast, we skipped lunch and went to the market to shop instead. We also went to Mithat’s Tirit Restaurant by ourselves during the free time allocated to the group after the last stop. We tasted the authentic flavor of the famous Konya Tirit dish. It was so amazing! 🙂
First day:
- Istanbul – Konya high-speed train transportation
- Tavus Baba Tomb & Mosque
- Karatay Madrasah
- Check-in & rest
- Shab-i Arus Ceremony
Second day:
- Mithat’s Tirit Restaurant
- Konya – Istanbul high-speed train return
Apart from the Şeb-i Arus ceremony, what impressed me most in the program were the Karatay Madrasa as a venue, the Tomb and Mosque of Şemsi Tebrizi with its energy and the Mevlana Mausoleum, which was captivating on both aspects. The town of Sille, with its very well-designed museum, was a sweet touch and breathed life into the program. The Butterfly Garden was the surprising beauty of the tour; we loved it.
Shab-i Arus
The Şeb-i Arus ceremony held at the Cultural Center was a little different than I expected. The size and crowd of the venue initially made me worry that it might be a very touristy event, but that feeling completely disappeared afterwards. The ceremony started with a Sufi music concert by Ahmet Özhan, whose voice we remember from our childhood. The subsequent Sema ceremony was truly magnificent. Both the traditional Sema and the movements of the dervishes, as well as the successful lighting and arrangement of the modern venue, were enough to transport the audience to another world. The only annoying issue was the ill-mannered behavior of some inconsiderate audience members; we tried to ignore them. In the end, we all left the approximately two-hour ceremony with a feeling of “I’m so glad I attended.”
Tatilbudur Review
Actually, I don’t usually prefer traveling with tours. I prefer to do my own research and plan my own route and schedule. This way, I can travel according to my preferences and time, and it also gives space to spontaneity. The actual reason I chose this tour was because it was so difficult to find a ticket to the Şeb-i Arus ceremony.
But our tatilbudur.com experience was so satisfying and enjoyable that it made me reconsider… First of all, the pre-trip information and organization received A+ from all of us. But more than the program of the tour, our guide Mert Oymak’sHis elegant and respectful demeanor, as well as his professionalism, won the hearts of our team and the entire group. At every stop, he shared information in just the right amount—neither too much nor too little—with the confidence of someone who knew all the necessary details, satisfying every participant in this cosmopolitan tour. He answered questions and comments patiently and calmly, always with a smile on his face. We are grateful to him for reminding us the kind of person we long for with his noble stance that strikes a delicate balance between professionalism and sincerity.
Where are you, Semra?
While I was looking for a companion at first, we first became two, then four people. Semra, however, missed my messages; so she joined as the fifth later. But because she made her reservation after our group of four, she was separated from us both on the train and the bus. Moreover, since she was seated at the very back of our large tourbus, she was always the last to get off. To avoid being separated, at every new stop one of us would ask, “Where is Semra?” Of course, being a cheerful group, this turned into a joke after a few times. The random, inappropriate “Where is Semra?” exclamations made our journey more joyous.
