The whirling dervishes ritual  were founded by Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi. You will see the dance ritual(sema) of the Dervishes . The Sema , rite of communal recitation practiced by the Mevlevis was traditionally performed in the semahana. It symbolized the attainment of the various levels of mystical union with God and the absolute perfection through spiritual fervor and controlled ecstasy.

Before beginning their dance, Dervishes bow to the sheik and kiss his hand.Then they let fall their black cloaks to symbolize their escape from the tomb and rediness to dance for God,they begin to turn slowly. Right arms are above the body palm facing upward whereas left hands face downward. This symbolizes that what they get from God’s grace and blessing,they pass on to the world. The dancers begin to move faster and faster. According to Mevlana,with the sema ,dervishes can reach out and touch the ”ultimate”.

This experince lasts 1 hour.