Muharram/Ashura in India ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Muharram/Ashura in India and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months in which fighting is prohibited. The tenth day of Muharram is known as Ashura, which is a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
In India, Muharram is observed by Shia Muslims. processions are taken out on the streets and mosques are decorated with black flags. Men and women dress in black and beat their chests as a sign of mourning. Tazias ( replicas of the tomb of Imam Hussain) are carried through the streets and people recite poems and prayers in memory of the martyr.
Ashura is a day of fasting for Shia Muslims and they refrain from eating or drinking from dawn to dusk. Some also engage in self-flagellation as a form of penance. Sunni Muslims also observe Ashura, but they do not fast on this day.
The observance of Muharram and Ashura is an important part of the Islamic faith and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Imam Hussain and his followers. It is also a time for Muslims to reflect on their own lives and to make a commitment to living according to the teachings of Islam.