Lucknow: Grief and devotion marked Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, as mourners across the city commemorated the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his 72 companions in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE on Friday.Dressed in black, Shia Muslims gathered at homes and imambaras for majlis before taking out taziya processions to Karbalas for burial.Children wearing black headbands inscribed with “Ya Hussain” and “Labbaik Ya Hussain” walked barefoot with elders on scorching roads, chanting nauhas and slogans recalling the sacrifices of Karbala.The biggest procession was taken out from Nazim Saheb Ka Imambara to Karbala Talkatora, where mourners performed ‘qama’ and ‘chhuri ka matam’ (self-flagellation with blades/sword as part of mourning).Qasim Zaidi, 34, who performed chhuri ka matam, said, “My mother told me about the Battle of Karbala, and I feel the pain of the martyrs.”The observance also reflected Lucknow’s composite traditions, with people from different communities taking part in Muharram rituals. Roshni, a Hindu devotee who has been keeping taziyas for 22 years, said, “I believe in praying during Muharram, and my wishes have been fulfilled.”Sunni businessman Shahnawaz Ahmad said he began keeping taziyas two decades ago after his prayers were answered and buried six taziyas in Karbala, Kazmain. During the procession, mourners also paid tribute to the Aliganj fire victims at Nishatganj.
