Telli Baba, Sariyer, Istanbul

 

 

 Telli Baba

Above the fishing town of Sariyer lies the tomb of Telli Baba, a 15th-century Qadiriyya Sufi sheikh who is revered as one of the four patron saints of the Bosphorus. His tomb is covered with silver threads, from which pilgrims who have come with a special request cut off a piece and take it home with them. Two pairs of scissors are provided in a marble bowl for cutting the threads. Telli Baba is said to have considerable influence, especially in matters of love. Once the heart’s desire has been fulfilled, the lucky person must return the thread. The Turkish religious authority has put up a warning sign specifically stating that such practices are un-Islamic, but of course that doesn’t change anything as long as the saint does his job so well.