Mumbai: Muharram celebrated with devotion and Taziya Procession

Pics by Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, 04 Nov 2014: Muharram was celebrated by the Muslims throughout the world with great devotion and fervour. Unlike Eid, Muharram is not a festive occasion, but a solemn one, which mourns the martyrdom of the revered Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. The festival is observed on the tenth day of the month of Muharram, which is the first month in the Muslim calendar.

Hazrat Imam Hussain died in 61 AH (680 AD) in battle against the forces of Yazid, and his martyrdom is ceremonially observed by long processions, especially amongst the Shi’a Muslims of India. Taziyas (bamboo and paper replicas of the saint’s tomb) and green alams (standards of Imam Hussain’s army, decorated with silver, gold and brass) are ritually carried in the procession, which is accompanied by men who beat their breasts, recite marsiyars (mourning verses) and sometimes resort to self-flagellation to express their sorrow.

 

The processions continue during Muharram, and culminate on the tenth day of the month, which is known as Yaum-al-Ashoora. On Yaum-al-Ashoora, the taziya procession terminates at a local square or a cemetery, where the taziyas and alams are ritually buried.