WHIRLING DERVISH HALL
Museum of Divan Literature Istanbul is originally a Galat Mevlevihanesi - Whirling Dervish Hall and still preserved as such. Whirling dervishes took their name from the great Sufi poet and mystic, Calaleddin Rumi (1207-73), with their major aim being the mystical communication with God. But for the acolytes of Calaleddin Rumi, it was more than just a matter of spinning for God; the entire 'sema' (ceremony) involved chants, prayers and music before the Mevlevi 'tarakat' whirled themselves into a trance-like union with God.
