Ahmedabad all set for Tazias

On Tuesday the city roads will be thronged with thousands of devotees participating in the Muharram procession. Long queues of Tazias will be seen as the Muslim community observes Muharram.

The city will wear an altogether different look on Muharram as large, intricately decorated Tazias will be taken out from different areas of the city. As many as 93 Tazias will be carried on the streets in this year's Muharram.

The general secretary of the Tazia committee, Anwar Hussain, told DNA, "Apart from 93 Tazias, the huge procession will have around 2,200 Tazias of mannat (desire), 32 Akhadas (gymnasts), 10 different displaying grief, 78 dhol walas, some 30 camel trucks and 14 large trucks laden with sweets to be distributed among the participants."

Tazias based on interesting concepts will be taken out. This time replicas of the grand masjid of Mecca have been attracting a lot of attention prior to the procession.

The first month of the Islam calendar, Muharram marks the day of remembrance when people mourn over the lost lives during the Battle of Karbala. Sharing the day's significance, chairman of Tazia committee, JV Momin said, "This is the first Satyagraha in the history which inspired Gandhi to fight against the British. More than 400 years back, the Battle of Karbala was fought between the Prophet's grandson Imam Hussain and Yazid, who was a non-believer of Islam. To defend humanity and protect Islam, the Battle of Karbala was fought and this led to the victory of Imam." But since the war led to the killing of thousands of army men, the day is marked by grief and mourning.

For the past 10 days, wayaz (preaching on Islam) were conducted in different areas at night and it saw participation of many Muslims. On Monday night too, Tazias were taken out for the people to appreciate the decorations. This is called 'Katal ki raat'.

The procession of Tazias will commence from Bijli Ghar on Tuesday at 2 in the afternoon and will end at Khanpur Darwaza after passing through different areas of the city. "After reaching Khanpur Darwaza, some of the Tazias will be immersed while some of the huge ones will be taken back and preserved," said Hussain.