Honor the timeless legacy of one of the world’s greatest mystic poets at Rumi’s tomb in the Turkish city of Konya.
Published on January 30, 2025
If you’re like me, you have a number of spiritual guides—both living and dead—whom you’d love to meet in person. One of mine is the Sufi mystic Rumi, whose poetry I’ve cherished for many years.
That’s why it was an incredible thrill for me to visit his tomb in the Turkish city of Konya. Türkiye is filled with spiritual landmarks, from the ancient city of Ephesus to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the Byzantine churches of Cappadocia. But even in a country rich in pilgrimage sites, Konya is special thanks to its connection to Rumi, who in Türkiye is referred to as Mevlânâ (our master).
Born in 1207 in what is now Afghanistan, Jalal al-Din Rumi spent most of his life in the city of Konya, which was then part of the Seljuk Empire. His father was a respected Islamic theologian and teacher, and following his death Rumi assumed his role as a teacher and spiritual guide.
But in 1244 Rumi’s life was transformed when he met a wandering mystic named Shams of Tabriz. Shams became Rumi’s spiritual mentor and closest companion, challenging him to question formal religious dogma and embrace instead a direct, personal connection to the divine. Their intense bond provoked controversy and jealousy among Rumi’s followers, leading to Shams’ mysterious disappearance, which some speculate was orchestrated by those close to Rumi.
Rumi’s teachings emphasize the transformative power of love, both human and divine, as a path to spiritual awakening. He viewed the human soul as yearning to reunite with its source, likening this longing to the mournful sound of the flute. While he remained a devout Muslim, his approach was universal in ways that transcended religious boundaries.
Rumi died in Konya in 1273, leaving behind a legacy that would shape Sufism and mysticism for centuries. His followers, who came to be known as the Mevlevi Order, continued his tradition of devotion through music, poetry, and the spinning dance of the Sema. They are also known as the Whirling Dervishes (in Turkish, dervish is derived from the word for beggar).
According to tradition, Rumi began spontaneously whirling in a state of divine inspiration, an act that would later become formalized into the Sema ceremony by his followers. The whirling dance became the signature practice of the Mevlevi Order, reflecting Rumi’s emphasis on surrender to the divine.
As a representation of the spiritual journey of the soul, every part of the dance has symbolic meaning. The dervishes enter wearing long black cloaks, symbolizing the ego and worldly attachments. Beneath these cloaks, they wear white robes, representing the soul’s purity. When the cloaks are removed, it signifies shedding the ego to embrace spiritual enlightenment.
As the dervishes whirl, their right hands are raised to the heavens, symbolizing their openness to divine grace, while their left hands are turned downward, representing their willingness to share this grace with the earth. They spin counterclockwise, symbolizing the rotation of the planets around the sun, a cosmic dance mirroring the harmony of creation.
For the dervishes, whirling induces a meditative state in which they seek to lose their individual sense of self and become one with the divine. The repetitive motion, combined with the haunting, rhythmic music, creates a trance-like state, enabling the dervishes to transcend the material world.
I actually saw the Sema twice my trip, once in Istanbul and once in Konya. Both times I was mesmerized by the patterns formed by the dancers. A profound sense of peace and awe settled over me, almost as if I was watching the celestial bodies of the heavens dance before me.
You can see a short clip of what I experienced in this video I uploaded to YouTube. The fact the dancers don’t get dizzy is a testimony to many years of training and discipline!
Additional Rumi Landmarks in Konya
If you visit Konya, begin your tour at the Mevlana Museum. Its centerpiece is Rumi’s tomb, which is adorned with intricate calligraphy and housed beneath a turquoise dome. Surrounding him are the sarcophagi of his family members, including his father, Bahāʾ al-Dīn Walad, and his close disciples.
The museum’s collection features historic manuscripts, including copies of Rumi’s works such as the Masnavi, and beautiful examples of Islamic calligraphy. Adjacent to the building is a courtyard bordered by dervish cells, small rooms that now contain exhibits on the lives and rituals of the Mevlevi dervishes.
About a 15 minute walk from the museum is a monument called “The Union of Two Seas,” which commemorates the day that Rumi met Shams on November 30, 1244. From there it’s a short stroll to the Shams-i-Tabrizi Mosque and Tomb. The small mosque is simple and humble, in keeping with the man it honors. Adjacent to the mosque is Shams’ symbolic tomb (his actual final resting place is unknown). The site is a serene oasis for reflection and contemplation.
Each December, Konya celebrates its connection to Rumi during a celebration known as Şeb-i Arus (meaning the “Night of Reunion”). The festival culminates on December 17th, the anniversary of Rumi’s death, which he called his wedding night because it was when his soul would meet God. For him, death was not an end, but a joyful reunion with the divine.
During the festival, the dervishes will dance, his poetry will be recited, and his message of love and unity will be proclaimed. Maybe someday I can go in person, but in the meantime I feel fortunate to have gotten the chance to pay my respects to this spiritual master who has taught me so much about the power of love.
Of the many verses I cherish from Rumi, I think these are my favorite:
Come, come, whoever you are,
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.
It doesn’t matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times.
Come, yet again, come, come.
IF YOU GO: Konya Airport (KYA) offers domestic flights from Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, as well as limited international connections, with easy transfers to the city center. Turkiye’s high-speed train connects Konya to Istanbul (4–5 hours), Ankara (1.5–2 hours), and Eskişehir. Long-distance buses provide affordable access from major cities, while driving allows flexibility, with routes like the scenic drive from Antalya (5–6 hours). Guided tours often include Konya in cultural itineraries, and once in the city, visitors can rely on public transportation and taxis.
See the Turkiye Tourism Office for more information.
Lori Erickson is one of America’s top travel writers specializing in spiritual journeys. She’s the author of books that include Holy Rover, Near the Exit, The Soul of the Family Tree, and Every Step Is Home. Her website Spiritual Travels features holy sites around the world..
Share This!
