‘Bibi-Ka-Alam' procession underway in Hyderabad amid tight security
Thousands of people were participating in the procession, which started from Bibi Ka Alawa in a traditional manner.
The procession passes through various parts of the old city before concluding at Chaderghat on the banks of the Musi River after sunset.
The 'Bibi ka Alam' was carried on a caparisoned elephant, brought from Karnataka. The elephant 'Lakshmi' stopped at a couple of places, leading to a slowdown of the procession.
The procession will pass through Sheikh Faiz Kaman, Yakutpura Darwaza, Etebar Chowk, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Panjeshah, Mani Mir Alam, Purani Haveli, and Darulshifa.
The organisers arranged the elephant belonging to the Sri Karibasaveshwara Mutt in Karnataka after the Telangana Forest Department refused to allow an elephant earlier identified by organisers in Delhi, citing animal welfare concerns and transport regulations.
'Yaum-e-Ashura' or 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is observed in memory of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussain and his followers at the battle of Karbala.
The gold-and-diamond-studded 'alam' or standard is believed to contain a piece of wooden plank on which Bibi Fatima Zehra, daughter of Prophet Mohammed, was given the final ablution.
The 'alam' was installed over 430 years ago during the Qutub Shahi dynasty, and the practice of carrying it on an elephant has been continuing since then.
For several years, the elephants from the Nehru Zoological Park were used for the annual procession. However, after the courts refused permission for the use of captive elephants for religious processions, the organisers have been bringing elephants from other states.
Last year, an elephant belonging to the Shri Jagadguru Panchacharya Mandir Trust in Karnataka was brought for the procession.
Groups of self-flagellating mourners were leading the procession. Blood oozed out from the heads and chests of bare-chested Shia mourners who flagellated themselves with sharp-edged objects.
Amid cries of 'Ya Hussain' and recitation of 'marsiya' (elegies) and 'noha-khwani' (poems expressing sorrow), barefoot youths using knives, blade-encrusted chains and other sharp-edged weapons, inflicted injuries on themselves to show solidarity with the sufferings of the martyrs. Others were seen crying and beating their chests.
The police made elaborate security arrangements and deployed around 2,000 personnel. Policemen on horses were seen piloting the procession. Traffic was diverted at a few points for the annual procession.
Top government officials, the Hyderabad Police Commissioner, leaders of different political parties and family members of Nizam, ruler of erstwhile Hyderabad State, offered 'dhattis' en route the procession.
The Sunni Muslims observed the day by fasting and holding meetings to remember the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and his followers, who were martyred in 61 Hijri or 681 CE at Karbala in present-day Iraq.
The fasting is observed on two days – ninth and 10th or the 10th and 11th Muharram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
8 hours ago
- Hans India
Thousands of Muslims mark Ashura with solemnity, remorse
Hyderabad: Hyderabad observed 'Youm-e-Ashura', the 10th day of the Islamic month Moharram with due solemnity, somberness and mourning in remembrance of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain, his family and companions in the battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Amid tight security, thousands of Shia Muslims took part in the historic 'Bibi-ka-Alam' procession in Old City on Sunday. Hyderabad Deccan is one of the prominent cities in India where there is a long tradition of Moharram mourning. 'Bibi-ka-Alam' attracts attention as the most visible Alam (replica) of the Deccan's tradition, there are numerous other places or Ashoorkhanas where alams are installed and people in thousands throng them. It was all black and blood as a mood of Shia Muslims mourning and passing through the lanes in the Old City, where the Bibi-ka-Alam, the traditional mourning procession was taken from Bibi-ka-Alawa in Dabeerpura to Masjid-e-Ilahi in Chaderghat near Musi on an elephant 'Lakshmi' which was brought from Karnataka. En route the procession, amid cries of 'Ya Hussain' and recitation of Marsiyas (elegies) and Nuoha-khwani (poems expressing sorrow), the barefoot self-flagellating with chains and swords in remembrance of the Martyrs. Water and juices made-up of milk and jaggery were distributed from the water sabeels set up at various places in the Old City, which has the second highest population of Shia Muslims in the country after Lucknow. Bibi-ka-Alawa houses the Alam, believed to contain a piece of wooden plank on which Prophet Mohammed's daughter Bibi Fatima Zehra, was given the final ablution, was carried on caparisoned elephant. Historically, the 'Alam' was brought from Karbala to Hyderabad during the reign of Qutub Shahi dynasty. The Alam was preserved in the calligraphy with Arabic lettering of Allah, Prophet Mohammed and Hazrath Imam Ali. It was later covered with an alloy of metals and gold. Six green pouches in the shape of earrings containing precious gems were secured on both sides of the Alam, which is kept under the strict vigil of the police security. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that Moharram symbolises sacrifice and tolerance. In a message to mark the Youm-e-Ashura, the Chief Minister said that Moharram serves as a bridge for unity and harmony among people, regardless of their caste and religion. Starting from Bibi-ka-Alawa in Dabeerpura the procession passed through Yakutpura, it stopped at the Ashoorkhana 'Khadam-e-Rasool' where the footprints of Prophet Mohammed are displayed. The next stop was at Peeli gate in Purani Haveli, where one of the members of the Nizam's family offered 'Dhatti' to the Alam and it concluded at Chaderghat. The Nizam IX, Nawab Mir Mohammed Azmet Ali Khan offered traditional 'Dhatti' and 'Nazrana' to Bibi-ka-Alam. The Hyderabad City police commissioner CV Anand along with the other police officers offered Datti to the Alam near Charminar and remained with the procession, till it passed from the historic Charminar. Over 3,000 police personnel along with the RAF were deployed along the Alam's route to keep vigil of the precious gems mounted on the elephant along with Alam. A medical emergency was also deployed during the mourning procession.
Mint
8 hours ago
- Mint
Are schools open today — July 7? Check Muharram holiday date and other holidays in July
The question about school holiday on July 7 on the occasion Muharram is making headlines. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar began on June 27 and the 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, was observed on Sunday Hence, the most auspicious day of Muharram was observed on July 6, as per list of Gazetted holidays. This implies that July 7 will not be a school holiday. Sunday holiday: All Sunday in July are non-working days, including July 6, 13, 20, and 27. Kanwar Yatra: It is possible that some schools in Noida, Ghaziabad and Haridwar declare a school holiday due to Kanwar Yatra but no official confirmation has been made yet. Official announcement is awaited.
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- The Hindu
A sea of grief, faith and ritual: thousands join Muharram procession in Hyderabad's Old City
Draped in black, thousands thronged the lanes and streets of Hyderabad's Old City on Sunday, joining the historic Muharram juloos that marks Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram. It was a poignant commemoration of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammed. The juloos commenced shortly after 1 pm from the Bibi Ka Alawa in Dabeerpura, a centuries-old mourning house regarded as one of Telangana's most significant centres of devotion of the Shia community. Inside the alawa, an ocean of zaireen — visitors from across the State and other parts of the country — gathered in reverence as they viewed the alam. The alam this year was carried atop an elephant, Lakshmi, brought from Karnataka after delays in sourcing an elephant from Rajasthan due to concerns raised by the Forest Department. Bedecked, Lakshmi trudged steadily through the crowd as mourners surrounded it, striking their bare chests in matam, while others engaged in khooni matam, a form of self-flagellation that leads to bloodletting. These acts were performed as symbolic expressions of collective grief for the martyrs of Karbala. Marsiyas (elegies) echoed through the streets over loudspeakers, blending with the rhythmic beating of hands on torsos, and the clanging of blades like a jangling set of large keys, used in khooni matam. Streams of men, their bodies streaked with blood, and backs with small lacerations, walked and were cleaned with sprays of water. The juloos reached the Charminar around 4.30 p.m. It drew large crowds of onlookers who gathered along southern parts of the Old City, including Moghalpura, and they sought to get closer from near the gates of Mecca Masjid, and the bustling lanes of Laad Bazaar. People from various sects of the Muslim community, along with members of other faiths, were also seen. Azmet Jah, the titular 9th Nizam, was also present. Traffic diversions were implemented across several key points such as Etebar Chowk, Purani Haveli, Gulzar House, Salarjung Rotary, Chaderghat Bridge and Nayapul to accommodate the surge of mourners. Snarls were seen near Khilwat, Hussaini Alam, Moghalpura, and the vicinity of the old Charminar Bus Station, as streams of pedestrians and processional groups continued to pour in. Police presence was visibly heightened along the route, with the Hyderabad City Police deploying additional personnel to ensure smooth conduct of the rituals. In keeping with tradition, Police Commissioner C.V. Anand paid his respects to the alam. He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of Police Sneha Mehra. Amid the dense, moving crowds, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen legislator Mirza Riyaz-ul-Hasan Effendi was seen personally helping manage the throng, while volunteers from various Shia organisations worked tirelessly to help the mourners and control the crown. As dusk approached, the juloos culminated at Masjid-e-Ilahi.
