KONYA, TURKEY

We left Cappadocia on the morning of 8^th May, for Pamukkale. On the way we stopped at KONYA, where the famous Mevlana Museum exists. This place is also known for a famous citizen Mulla Naseeruddin Hodja, a sufi saint with a satirical touch. His many funny stories which are as well moralistic are known all over the world.

MEVLANA MUSEUM -  KONYA

The Mevlâna Museum, located in Konya, Turkey, is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a Sufi mystic also known as Mevlâna or Rumi. It was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. This was finished in 1274. However several sections were added until 1854

 On 6 April 1926 it was confirmed through a decree that the mausoleum and the dervish lodge were to be turned into a museum. The museum opened on 2 March 1927. In 1954 it was renamed as "Mevlâna Museum".

The sarcophagus of Mevlâna is located under the green dome (It is covered with brocade, embroidered in gold with verses from the Koran). This and all other covers, were a gift of Sultan Abdul Hamid II in 1894. The actual burial chamber is located below it. Next to Mevlâna's sarcophagus are several others, including the sarcophagi of his father Bahaeddin Veled and his son Sultan Veled. The wooden sarcophagus of Mevlâna dates from the 12th century now stands over the grave of his father. It is a masterpiece of Seljuk woodcarving. There is a silver lattice, separating the sarcophagi from the main section.

The adjoining small mosque (Masjid) is now used for the exhibition of a collection of old, illustrated, Korans and extremely valuable prayer rugs.

 Among the exhibits, there is also a highly decorated box, containing the Holy Beard of Muhammad.

The mausoleum was depicted on the reverse of the Turkish 5000 lira banknotes of

1981-1994

Hodja Naseeruddin.

A huge statue of Hodja sitting facing backwards on a donkey hits you as soon as you enter Konya.

 Hodja, who lived in the 13^th century, is considered a populist philosopher and wise man, remembered for his funny stories and anecdotes. He appears in thousands of stories all over the world in many languages, sometimes witty, sometimes wise, but often a fool or the butt of a joke.

He is somewhat similar to our own Tenali Rama or Birbal