Youm-e-Ashoora held solemnly in Old City

Charminar: Thousands of mourners took part in the Bibi-ka-Alam procession in Old City which started from Bibi-ka-Alawa at Dabeerpura and culminated at Musi River at Chaderghat. Commemorating the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions, the Youm-e-Ashura was observed by the devout who were seen soaked in their own blood.

Youm-e-Ashura falls on the 10th day of Moharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. The relic of Bibi-ka-Alam was taken out on elephant 'Sudha' brought from Karnataka, the undertaking which continues for centuries. After the rehearsals which were conducted on this new elephant Sudha were performed successfully on Friday, it was declared fit to take out procession on Tuesday.

En route the procession, Shia Muslims were seen self-flagellating with chains and swords and reciting nuaha in remembrance of the Martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Hazrath Imam Hussain and his companions in the battle of Karbala. On Tuesday, the main procession started from Bibi-ka-Alawa, which houses the Alam, a piece of wooden plank on which Fatimah, the mother of Hassan and Hussain and daughter of Prophet, was given her final ablution by her husband before burial.

Historically, the Alam was brought from Karbala to Hyderabad during the reign of Qutub Shahi dynasty. The Alam was preserved in the calligraphy with Arabic lettering of Allah, Prophet Mohammed and Hazrath Imam Ali. It was covered with an alloy of metals and gold later. Six green pouches in the shape of earrings containing precious gems are suspended on either side of the Alam, which kept under the strict vigil of the police security.

During this yearly Azadari (mourning) procession, hundreds of barefooted and bare-chested mourners from more than 24 'anjumans', including a few from various parts of the country formed part of the procession. Starting from Bibi-ka-Alawa in Dabeerpura the procession passed through Yakutpura, it stopped at the Ashoorkhana 'Khadam-e-Rasool' where the footprints of Prophet Mohammad are displayed. The next stop was at 'Peeli gate in Purani Haveli, where one of the members of the Nizam's family offered 'dhatti' to the Alam and it concluded at Chaderghat.

During procession the City police commissioner Anjani Kumar along with the other police officers offered Datti to the Alam near Charminar and remained with the procession, till it passed from the historic Charminar. The police along with the RAF was deployed along with the Alam's route to keep vigil of the precious gems mounted on the elephant along with Alam. A medical emergency was also deployed during the mourning procession.

On 10th Moharram, everyone including the other communities visited the Bibi-ka-Alam. During this many of them took part in social activties like distributing water, Sharbath (juice) made-up of Milk and Jaggery amongst the public.