Yazidi Pilgrimage

Lalish Temple is the destination for the Yazidi pilgrimage. It takes place over a span of six days and each Yazidi is expecting to make this sacred Summer journey at least once in their life. Before nearing the Temple, however, Yazidis must first purify themselves with ritual washing in the nearby river; icons of Malak Taus are simultaneously bathed. Then, the celebrations can begin.

A black-robed figure walks out of the temple, surrounded by people in white-robes. They pass through the crowd so that they can walk around the sacred fire. People kiss their hands and then put their lipped-fingers to their foreheads whenever the black-robed person passes by. Meanwhile, praises for Malak Taus are sung.

By the entrance of Lalish Temple is a black snake. This is usually considered to be the true archangel form of Sheikh Mend, an incarnation of the Snake Angel, who solidified to always protect the Temple. Conversely, it can be considered a giant snake that was petrified by Sheikh Adi for attacking the Temple.

Inside, the first room has pillars caressed by knots of many different colours; the knots are tied whilst prayers are mouthed. Also in this room is the Lake of Azrael, a black pool that, like the black snake, has dual meaning. Either the angel washes his sword in it after taking a life, or Azrael brings spirits to be judged by Adi. Unlike the black snake, though, these two views can co-exist without contradiction.

This first room leads off to three others. Perhaps the most important room is the one containing Sheikh Adi’s tomb. Yazidis circle the tomb ten times whilst praying intensely. Another of the three rooms has seven sides, and around the walls are the tombs of the other six archangel’s incarnations. The last room contains Sheikh Ibu’s Wishing Rock. It is said that Ibu made the rock levitate, and from that moment on he said that if a person lands a knot around one of the candles that mounts the Wishing Rock, the wish of the knot-thrower will come true. Indeed, people try this still.

There is one last feature that is most interesting: the Kaniya Sipi, the white spring. During the Great Flood, this pool of water alone remained clean and clear. More importantly, the Kaniya Sipi rose as a tower towards Heaven during this time. Due to this obvious significance, the water of the Kaniya Sipi is used to purify new-borns.

Unfortunately, there is much I don’t know about Yazidism. However, all Yazdanism branches share little if any of their knowledge, so I would not pressure that. Of course, I could speculate, though these speculations may turn out to be offensive, so again I must refrain. Thus concludes my sharing knowledge of Yazdanism.