Hodjapasha

It was a beautiful experience. Very soulful and very enlightening I just have one advice, I wish they would have translated the verses for the salam and projected them as it was give more clarity about the act. Otherwise the entire one hour was amazing and yes its not for kids. I loved the instruments played very calming music.

We went to Hodjapasha to watch the Whirling Dervishes ceremony, and it was a truly beautiful and moving experience. The performance is not a show in the traditional sense, but a spiritual Sufi rite called the Sema, where the dancers (known as dervishes) whirl in a meditative state to connect with the divine. Accompanied by live traditional music and chanting, it felt intimate, reverent, and soul-touching. I found it incredibly powerful, but it's important to note that it's more of a spiritual experience than entertainment—so while adults may find it deeply meaningful, it might not hold the attention of younger children.

I visited this place 3 times and every time they made more creative show . I advice anyone to attend thw show even for young kids but not younger than 5 years because it is dark for them. Important note always make reservations for the dance show because it is always sold out

What a fantastic and amazing experience the Dervish show was. We booked online and were lucky to have 2nd row seats so we were very close to the performers. The theater looks amazing, and the show started on time. It lasted about one hour and it was super enjoyable to watch and really mesmerising. Unfortunately photos and videos are forbidden but that is totally understandable. I wish they would sell a recording of the show at least or if the organizers themselves take photos of the show so that we keep these nice memories. It was a bit difficult to find the place as it is quite tucked away but we managed after asking around. The negative points were that children are allowed in the show. Behind us was a couple with their children who kept nagging, complaining, coughing, making all sorts of noises, while the mother was having a conversation with one kid, the father was shushing them as if he is doing everyone else a favour. It was very annoying and disrespectful for everyone around them especially in a show like this. Children under 10 should not be allowed in this show. Second, they kept letting people in good 25 minutes into the show, and the theater has wooden floors so evertime someone new comes, they make so much noise, and stomp on the wooden floor while you are trying to enjoy a spiritual show. This is also something that shouldn't be allowed. It is a show aimed at tourists of course but if you are a tourist and book a ticket for this kind of show, you should at least try your best to be on time and the organizers shouldn't let anyone in after. They could issue a refund or give them a ticket for a show that starts later. Apart from that, the performers were exceptional, the show was fantastic, and this is an unforgettable experience and worth every penny.

Great dance show, worth to see it! We assisted the Rithm of dance show, great artists and dancers performing several types of dances, loved it! The place is a former hamam, giving even more authenticity to the show. Also, it is located beside a secondary touristy street, so you can have a delicious dinner before of after the show, one minute walking distance. Recommend the experience!

This was the perfect mix between a tourist audience and the sacredness of a real sufi ceremony. It really felt like we had access to a sacred spiritual rite, as performers were visibly deeply in their faith and in the moment. The live music was beautiful and sacred. There is also a small exhibition about sufism that was very interesting. Several teenagers/husbands who had been dragged there were visibly quite bored, missing all the sacredness of the 60 minutes. You will enjoy it much more if you are open to spirituality or very interested in other cultures/religions, regardless how slow or subtle.

This was an incredible experience!! Hodjapasha goes to great lengths to ensure that every element of the Whirling Dervishes experience is easy to understand. There are displays in the lobby and more information is presented with each segment of the dervishes meditation. I found myself wondering how the few instruments and two voices created such complex sounds. The Dervishes are mesmerizing. Thank you for sharing this bit of Sufi faith. (You are not allowed to take pictures during the ceremony. The ones I attached are from the exhibit in the lobby).

Took my teenage lads to see the Rhythm of the Dance show last week and it was outstanding. Thoroughly recommend it. Really entertaining, passionate, colourful and vibrant.

This theater has a Whirling Dervish show that is 100% recommend going to. Whirling Dervishes is a religious ceremony that is very interesting. Before you go in for the show, they have a room with multiple panels explaining the ceremony, the history of the religion, and shows different items used during the ceremony. Because it's religious, you can't video or take pictures during the show, and you must stay quiet, so I wouldn't recommend bringing children that can't sit still for an extended period of time here. But it truly was fascinating!

First of all, I don't think it was that bad, but I can see why some people wouldn't like it. Yes they do require you to show up 30 minutes before the ritual. That's because they need time to sit people since you have to get your seat assignment from the register. Yes, you do have to wait, and it can get warm in the museum like foyer. However, they do give you complimentary beverages like tea, cold water and juices and once inside the circular room, it's actually nice and well air conditioned. You'll also have time to learn more about the culture by reading Rumi's philosophy and the history of the whirling dervishes on the walls. You can also take pictures and experience the full Dervish exhibition. As far as the ceremony, I can see why some people would get bored or fall asleep. I sat in the first row, so I had the full experience. Watching them spin made me a little dizzy. LOL!!!! It was almost hypnotic and almost meditative. This is not a musical dance performance. It's more of a spiritual ritual, so don't expect it to be a lord of dance type of show! I'm a big fan of Rumi's work, and I love his poetry and his mystical philosophy, so it's a 4 stars for me. If you are thinking about seeing the whirling dervishes, be open minded, learn more about it and read a little bit of Rumi's quotes. They are very beautiful.

Came here with my wife to see the traditional Turkish Dervish dance. The tickets cost 60 lira for a one hour performance. There dance area is in a circular shape and everyone has a good view of the performance.

I hate to do this, I was so disappointed. First of all, they want you to arrive 30 minutes before the performance and stand around in a hot, loud, overcrowded area before being seated. Which is about the least relaxing or meditative thing EVER... Then, what you have to understand is you are witnessing a ritual. It's not a performance, you can't clap or talk, and while the ceremony is undoubtedly beautiful, it is marketed as a riveting performance, when it's more of an educational experience than anything. I knew nothing about Whirling Dervishes, and you can't assume your tourists will either. Based on the materials that are plastered everywhere it seems like an exciting performance of dancing and music, but what you get is a subdued, solemn church service. If you are looking to be educated, fine. If you are looking to witness something unique, great. If you are looking for a calming meditation, awesome. If you are looking to see an exciting performance, you should look elsewhere.

As famous as the magnificent outline of the Blue Mosque, whirling dervish is another famous image that one has when Turkey comes in mind. If you wish to see the spectacular whirling in person, Hodjapasha is an excellent place to fulfill your wish! The famous dance in which the men in white flowing skirts whirl for an incredible duration and yet at a consistent rate is only a part of the sema prayer ceremony that is essential in the Sufi branch of Islam. Sufi practitioners used in this dance as a form of mediation by repetitively imitating the motion of cosmic revolution, so the famous whirling does have a spiritual element. While the full sema is three hours long, the whirling Dervish performance at Hodjapasha is only an hour long. However, do not mistake this shorter duration to be a sign of poor quality! The famous whirling lasts no more than an hour in a three-hour sema ritual, so the Hodjapasha performance is in fact a shortened version for people who are more interested in the whirling than the chanting. While neither the full sema or the Hodjapasha summary is better or worse than the other, both are certainly meant for different audience. Undoubtedly, Hodjapasha is designed for those who are new to the Sufism! Before the performance, the audience can browse through a small exhibit about Sufism in the waiting room to augment the experience. Whether the dancers are truly from the Dervish Order is a mystery, but the fact that they could whirl (and move as they whirl) for more than 30 minutes and that the live Sufi music was the same as the one that was played in a full sema ceremony are convincing enough for me. I had my doubt that Hodjapasha was a tourist trap, but after the performance, I was satisfied to witness the famous whirling that is more impressive to see with my own eyes! Hence, if you had a night to spare in Istanbul, I recommend the night performance of the whirling dervishes at Hodjapasha!

I adore the spirit of Sufism and chose this venue to celebrate my 40th birthday. It did not disappoint. In fact, I wept. The building itself is indescribably beautiful, as many in Sultanahmet are, and the opportunity to watch the Dervishes whirl and pray is something I will cherish forever. Book early, as seating is allocated on a first booked, first served basis. This is quite literal. Your seat number is on your ticket and determines your proximity to the stage. Front row, as always, is where it's at. Read some Rumi to prepare, and expect awe.