Lalish

Lalish is the holiest site of the Yazidi faith, a sacred valley and village in northern Iraq. It is located in Nineveh Governorate, within the Shekhan District, and its religious heart is the Temple of Lalish and the adjacent Tomb of Sheikh Adi. The site is closely associated with Melek Taus, the Peacock Angel, and it serves as a focal point for Yazidi worship, pilgrimage, and ritual life.

Historically, Lalish has functioned for centuries as a center of Yazidi religious practice and learning. The temple complex contains several shrines and altars maintained by Yazidi religious authorities, and it hosts rites that form a core part of the community’s spiritual calendar. Pilgrimage to Lalish is a defining practice for many Yazidis, drawing visitors from within Iraq and the diaspora to participate in ceremonies and observances held at the site.

Access to Lalish is treated with special reverence given its sacred status. Visitors are expected to show respect for the religious spaces, and some areas or rites are reserved for initiates and clergy. Non-Yazidis may visit under guidance and in coordination with local authorities and community representatives, though permissions and protocols may vary by circumstance.

In recent decades, Lalish has faced challenges related to regional instability, displacement, and reconstruction in Iraq. Preservation and restoration efforts accompany ongoing religious use, and the site remains central to Yazidi religious identity, cultural memory, and community life.