Lalish Laliş

Overview

About Lalish

Lalish is the central sanctuary of the Yazidi religion, a temple complex set in a wooded valley in the Sheikhan district north-east of Mosul. It contains the tomb of Sheikh Adî ibn Musafir, the twelfth-century figure at the heart of Yazidi sacred history, together with the sanctuaries of other holy beings, conical fluted towers, and sacred springs including the Kaniya Spî (White Spring) and Zimzim.

Every Yazidi is expected to make the pilgrimage to Lalish at least once, and the site is the setting of the autumn Cejna Cemayê, the great Feast of the Assembly. Pilgrims traditionally cross the valley barefoot, and specific families hold hereditary duties of custodianship over its shrines and rites.

As a sanctuary, this is a place of active worship and pilgrimage. Descriptions here identify the site and its role; they are not a guide to restricted rites, which are held by hereditary religious families.

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Coordinates and external references

Coordinates are approximate and provided for orientation. They should be re-checked against an authoritative gazetteer before any operational use.

Source note

References for this place

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