Corona cloud on 200-year-old tradition, no Shahi Muharram procession this year

LUCKNOW: The iconic sights of towering wax taziyas moving in processions on solemn beats of martial drums on the 1st of Muharram from Bara Imambara to

Chhota Imambara

– a 200-year-old ritual of Lucknow which holds cultural and religious significance – will not be visible this year due to ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Islamic month of Muharram is expected to begin on Friday or Saturday, depending on the sighting of the moon.

The

Husainabad

and Allied Trust (HAT), headed by the district administration, has cancelled all processions, ‘tabarruk’ (food distributed to the poor after sermons and also sent to members of the royal family), ‘majlis’ (sermons) at mosques and imambaras under HAT. Devotees will not be allowed inside the Imambaras either as protected monuments continue to be shut.

“Three taziyas, one each for the Bada and Chhota Imambara and Shahnajaf, are being readied and they will be kept at the respective ‘Shahnasheens’ (sanctums). There will be no procession, gathering, majlis and any other ritual under HAT in keeping with the August 10 guidelines by the home ministry,” said additional city magistrate Ajay Kumar Rai.

He said distribution of food after ‘majlis’ would not be allowed. “There cannot be any symbolic procession with limited attendees either as it involves risk,” Rai added.

These rituals were started by third King of Awadh, Mohammad Ali Shah, when he formed the Husainabad Endowment Deed and Husainabd and Allied Trust in 1836, providing money for programmes in Muharram and Ramzan and maintenance of monuments built by him.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.