Chilla ( Persian: چله, Arabic: أربعين, both literally "forty"), also known as Chilla-nashini, is a spiritual practice of penance and solitude in Sufism known mostly in Indian and Persian traditions. In this ritual a mendicant or ascetic attempts to remain seated in a circle practicing meditation techniques without food for 40 days and nights in imitation of the Arba'een. [1] [2]
The word chilla is derived from the Persian word chehel "forty". [3]
Chilla is commonly performed in a solitary cell called a chilla-khana. [4] The place itself is sometimes called Chilla where chilla has been performed. [4]
The most famous case of chilla is found in the biographies of the 14th century Sufi poet Hafez of Shiraz. [5] [6] [7]
A practice similar to chilla is also performed by Hindustani classical music practitioners at an advanced level. It is called chilla katna.
Chilla ( Persian: چله, Arabic: أربعين, both literally "forty"), also known as Chilla-nashini, is a spiritual practice of penance and solitude in Sufism known mostly in Indian and Persian traditions. In this ritual a mendicant or ascetic attempts to remain seated in a circle practicing meditation techniques without food for 40 days and nights in imitation of the Arba'een. [1] [2]
The word chilla is derived from the Persian word chehel "forty". [3]
Chilla is commonly performed in a solitary cell called a chilla-khana. [4] The place itself is sometimes called Chilla where chilla has been performed. [4]
The most famous case of chilla is found in the biographies of the 14th century Sufi poet Hafez of Shiraz. [5] [6] [7]
A practice similar to chilla is also performed by Hindustani classical music practitioners at an advanced level. It is called chilla katna.