Shahi Mom ki Zarih to be Imambara's replica

LUCKNOW: The Shahi Mom ki Zarih (tazia), which has been part of the first Muharram procession in the city for the past 186 years, will resemble Bada Imambara this time.
Zarih is the replica of the tomb of Imam Hussain (grandson of Prophet Mohammad) who attained martyrdom in the battle of Karbala in 680 AD.
Historian Roshan Taqui said Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah had signed an agreement with the East India Company and paid Rs 4 crore for the observation of the procession and maintenance of Chhota Imambara and the roads between both Imambaras.
"The work was later taken over by the Hussainabad Allied Trust," said Taqui.
Readied by Sunni artisans from Bahraich, Mohammad Waseem Ali is leading the work of making the Shahi Zarih, including Mom ki Zarih (made of wax), Abrak ki Zarih and two Zarih of Shahnajaf.
All are part of the first procession which is taken out on the first day of Muharram. This year, it will fall on July 20.
The Mom ki Zarih will be readied with 5 quintals of wax and 1.5 quintals of maida. Melting the wax and moulding it in various forms, Ali and his family are making 1500 fishes, flower pots, stars along with 2000 big and small flowers.
"The Zarih is given different shapes every year. Last year, it resembled the Chhota Imambara while another year we made it as the replica of the tomb of Imam Hussain in Karbala. This year, Rs 2.8 lakh has been granted for the four Zarihs," Ali said.