The pilgrimage to the Kerejal shrine on Mount Sharia remains one of the most significant and enduring rituals for Kurdish Yezidis. Each year, during the months of March, April, and May, thousands make the steep, kilometer-long ascent on foot to the sacred site near Sina village, on the border of Duhok.
The ritual is one of 45 holy pilgrimages in the Yezidi tradition and is marked by hours of spiritual ceremonies, traditional dancing, and community celebration. As part of the observance, elderly Yezidi women fast and light wood fires, preserving customs passed down for generations.
At the end of the ceremony, each pilgrim collects a branch from the mountain as a symbol of blessing. Upon returning to the village, women walk forward while men walk back-to-back—a symbolic tradition that concludes the sacred journey.
Devotees believe that wishes made at the Kerejal shrine will be fulfilled, reinforcing the deep spiritual significance of this annual gathering.
