Istanbul: Hodja Pasha Whirling Dervishes A Mystical Evening

Immerse yourself in the mysticism of the Whirling Dervishes, a mesmerizing 1-hour show in Istanbul that celebrates the spiritual beauty of Sufi traditions and captivates audiences with its enchanting rituals.

Truly uplifting and deeply meaningful.

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The pre-show exhibition was enjoyable, and the show was decent.

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Absolutely perfect!

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A fascinating show with flawless organization!

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A captivating mystical experience reflecting unity and spiritual submission in the Dervish/Sufi tradition. Great ambience, intimate setting, slightly pricey but truly memorable.

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The dervishes' dance beautifully conveyed a sense of ecstasy and spiritual transcendence.

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A bit pricey, but a fascinating cultural experience. The enchanting Turkish music and the touching dervish performance made it worthwhile.

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An intimate and deeply moving experience, more a shared spiritual practice than a “show.” The proximity to the performers heightened the emotional impact, revealing a profound vulnerability and grace. Each dervish seemed to embody a unique stage of the spiritual journey—one youthful and proud, another lost in ecstatic love, a third grappling with inner tension, and the leader exuding calm, guiding the group with serene care. Truly beyond words, it captivated even my 9-year-old nephew for the entire hour. Highly recommended for anyone open to joy and wonder!

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Unfortunately, it wasn’t enjoyable for any of us (a group of 8). It was so dull that most of the audience dozed off.

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Great experience overall! However, the seat selection process was unclear, as there was no option to choose seats during booking. Still, I highly recommend it.

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The Whirling Dervishes Show at Hodjapasha was mesmerizing and deeply spiritual. The graceful performance, music, and chants created a serene atmosphere, making it a must-see in Istanbul.

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An amazing and unforgettable experience!

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Total tourist trap. Most of the hour was spent bowing repeatedly. Basic polyester costumes, no real climax, and felt designed purely for curious tourists.

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Good!

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Very nice, spiritual, and relaxing experience. Seat selection is done for you.

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A lovely cultural experience in a stunning setting.

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The music and dance were overly loud and overwhelming. The entrées were delicious, but the rest of the meal was disappointing. Service was wonderful, with kind staff. Unfortunately, the views were obstructed by lights. Overall, an okay experience.

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The spiritual aspect was overly emphasized, making it less enjoyable. It’s not the kind of experience I expected or remember fondly from my time in Istanbul.

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The show was interesting, but it felt a bit long as it was quite repetitive.

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Absolutely spectacular!

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An amazing and unforgettable experience!

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A high-quality, enjoyable, and educational event. It offers a deep immersion into the world of Rumi and Sufis, showcasing a beautiful aspect of Türkiye's culture.

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A great cultural experience with insightful projections, skilled performers, and captivating live music.

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The performance and music were truly impressive.

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A wonderful experience that lets you escape into a unique and spiritual journey, whether you're familiar with Sufism or not.

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Awesome tour! The guide was professional, knowledgeable, and passionate. The driver was excellent, attentive, and kept the van spotless. Highly recommended!

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A very interesting and evocative experience in a beautiful setting. The price is a bit high.

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An amazing show that evokes a profound spiritual connection throughout the performance.

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I enjoyed the show; it’s always fascinating to learn something new. The dervishes’ unique way of perceiving life and the world is captivating. Their ability to spin effortlessly without losing balance is truly impressive! Despite the commercial nature of the performance, I highly recommend seeing it.

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An impressive performance that I really enjoyed. Highly recommend!

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A remarkable physical feat, though the show felt somewhat routine.

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A deeply spiritual experience. The music, information, dervishes, and production nearly put us in a trance. Fascinating to notice parallels between Buddhist and Sufi practices.

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Highly recommended! A beautiful live demonstration of the spiritual connection dervishes achieve through their ritual. Perfect for those interested in culture, spirituality, and mysticism. :)

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Very interesting show, glad I attended. It started on time, with a clear explanation of the different aspects of the ritual.

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A magnificent and unique experience. Truly indescribable—you have to experience it yourself to decide its value. The setup, music, and dance were all excellent!

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Magnificent—an absolute must-see!

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English and Turkish explanations projected onto the wall made the ceremony easier to follow. We appreciated the respectful atmosphere, the beautiful location, and the inspiring glimpse into Turkish culture.

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I was able to book and pay for my child, but the host later said children weren’t allowed. Still waiting for a full refund.

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Great seats! I had been eager to see the whirling dervishes since planning my trip to Istanbul. The venue was beautiful, and the experience was truly meditative and immersive.

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A very interesting ceremony that I highly recommend attending.

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It was beautiful. I would have loved to see it on a larger scale, but given the intimate and atmospheric venue, it was perfect. An excellent display!

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Sorry, but I didn’t enjoy the ritual. Maybe I didn’t fully understand it, but it was just non-stop spinning without any other choreography. I expected something more engaging or spectacular—it didn’t captivate me at all.

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Excellent front-row seating with well-assigned numbered seats and limited room capacity. Great close-up experience with the whirling dervishes. Improved signage for the meeting point would be helpful.

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A must-see experience! However, it's best to read about the Mevlevi Order's mystical ritual beforehand. Alternatively, arrive 30 minutes early to explore the small gallery at Hodjapasha, which provides insightful information on dervishes, their ceremony, clothing, and musical instruments.

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An interesting spiritual ceremony with live musicians and dancers. However, it felt very slow and drawn out—what could have been a 15-20 minute performance lasted an hour. Many in the audience dozed off, lol. Glad we saw it, but it could be shorter and more reasonably priced.

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I enjoyed the ceremony and its spiritual atmosphere. Unfortunately, some audience members disrupted the experience by leaving during the performance.

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A great activity that immerses you in culture and history. A wonderful experience in an intimate atmosphere—highly recommended!

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I didn’t expect it to be more of a spiritual ritual than a dance. Still, it was a good experience.

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A sublime experience! It’s worth arriving early to explore the small museum and learn about the history. The beautiful grounds and easy access add to the charm.

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Not trying to hate—I understand this is an important spiritual ceremony, but it’s not meant for entertainment. Honestly, it felt incredibly boring, like paying $40 to watch someone pray. Wouldn’t recommend.

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Nice setting, but the room felt a bit too stuffy.

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We really enjoyed the show and gained a lot of insight into Sufism and its philosophy.

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A very moving spiritual performance. For those attuned to spirituality, it’s a wonderful enrichment. Watching some dancers perform with their eyes closed was truly amazing!

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The whirling men’s ability was impressive. While marketed as a ‘religious experience’ for the performers, it felt more like a staged show for the 100 paying attendees.

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A must-do activity!

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