Muharram Festival of India

Name of Festival: Muharram Festival

Time of Celebration
Muharram Festival is celebrated in first month of the Hijra year, Muharram.Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar.

Major Territory of Celebration
Muharram Festival is celebrated in all over India

About Festival
Muhrram is an occasion of mourning. Muharram is observed for remembering the martyrdom of  prophet Mohammed’s grandson- Hazrat Imam Hussein. It is celebrated by the Shia community of Muslims.This festival starts at the 1st day of Muharram and lasts for 10 days until. 10th of Muharram. Tazias, glittering replicas of the Martyr’s tomb, are carried in procession through the streets .Lucknow and Hyderabad Tazias are noted for their splendour.On this day Muslims observed the fast and offer prayers recites ‘fatihas’ in homage to the martyrs who fought bravely for preserving their faith.

In some places like Delhi,Lucknow, Agra and Jaipur processions are held. Many people take part in this processions and they beat their chest in mourning to the tune of beating drums and chants ‘Ya Hussain’. After the procession, the devotees return home, break their fast and give food, clothes, money to the poor, needy and the sick in charity.

History of Muharram Festival
After the demise of Prophet Mohammad ,Quran became the final word for Islam .A loyal follower of Muhammad was elected as his successor .The prophet’s Son-in-Law, there was opposition from many sections during the time of Ali.Ali and his elder son Hassan were killed. He was brutally murdered with his whole family and followers by the wicked, Yazid, a Muslim ruler at Karbala in Mecca.

When Hussain was killed, it was the. tenth of the month, Muharram.