‘Bibi-Ka-Alam' passes off peacefully in Hyderabad
Thousands of people participated in the procession, which started from Bibi Ka Alawa in a traditional manner and concluded at Chaderghat on the banks of the Musi River after passing through various parts of the old city.
The procession passed through Sheikh Faiz Kaman, Yakutpura Darwaza, Etebar Chowk, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Panjeshah, Mani Mir Alam, Purani Haveli and Darulshifa.
The 'Bibi ka Alam' was carried on a caparisoned elephant, brought from Karnataka.
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 the 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 the 'alam' on an elephant has been continuing since then.
For several years, 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 with the deployment of over 3,000 personnel. Policemen on horses were seen piloting the procession. Traffic was diverted at a few points for the annual procession.
Top government officials, Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand, leaders of different political parties and family members of Nizam, ruler of the erstwhile Hyderabad State, offered 'dhattis' en route to the procession.
The Police Commissioner personally supervised the security arrangements from the historic Charminar. He provided timely instructions to all officers to ensure the procession proceeded smoothly.
On behalf of the Hyderabad City Police, Anand offered 'Dhattis' to the 'alam' at Charminar.
Over 3,000 police personnel provided robust security for the Bibi Ka Alam procession. Thanks to proactive planning and all necessary measures taken, the Bibi Ka Alam procession concluded peacefully without any untoward incidents, the police chief said.
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 – the ninth and 10th or the 10th and 11th Muharram.
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The Hindu
an hour 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.
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
‘Bibi-Ka-Alam' passes off peacefully in Hyderabad
The historic 'Bibi-ka-Alam' procession passed off peacefully in the old city of Hyderabad amid tight security as solemnity and mourning marked 'Yaum-e-Ashura' on Sunday. Thousands of people participated in the procession, which started from Bibi Ka Alawa in a traditional manner and concluded at Chaderghat on the banks of the Musi River after passing through various parts of the old city. The procession passed through Sheikh Faiz Kaman, Yakutpura Darwaza, Etebar Chowk, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Panjeshah, Mani Mir Alam, Purani Haveli and Darulshifa. The 'Bibi ka Alam' was carried on a caparisoned elephant, brought from Karnataka. 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 the 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 the 'alam' on an elephant has been continuing since then. For several years, 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 with the deployment of over 3,000 personnel. Policemen on horses were seen piloting the procession. Traffic was diverted at a few points for the annual procession. Top government officials, Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand, leaders of different political parties and family members of Nizam, ruler of the erstwhile Hyderabad State, offered 'dhattis' en route to the procession. The Police Commissioner personally supervised the security arrangements from the historic Charminar. He provided timely instructions to all officers to ensure the procession proceeded smoothly. On behalf of the Hyderabad City Police, Anand offered 'Dhattis' to the 'alam' at Charminar. Over 3,000 police personnel provided robust security for the Bibi Ka Alam procession. Thanks to proactive planning and all necessary measures taken, the Bibi Ka Alam procession concluded peacefully without any untoward incidents, the police chief said. 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 – the ninth and 10th or the 10th and 11th Muharram.
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Hans India
‘Bibi-Ka-Alam' procession underway in Hyderabad amid tight security
The historic 'Bibi-ka-Alam' procession was underway in the old city of Hyderabad amid tight security as solemnity and mourning marked 'Yaum-e-Ashura' on Sunday. 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.
