Muharram observed across India

New Delhi / Sangli, Dec 28 (ANI) : Shia Muslims across the country observed Yom-e-Ashoora, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, on Monday to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain.

On the day Muslims are urged to follow the path of Imam Hussain and his companions who laid down their lives to uphold truth, righteousness, and the ideals of Islam.

In Delhi, thousands of Shia Muslims took out large processions to mark the occasion. Mourners, who took part in the processions, recited verses and paid tributes to the Imam for his sacrifice.

"To save the religion Hazrat Imam Hussain sacrificed his entire family at Karbala. For 1400 years we have been mourning his death," said Akhlaq, a local.

Many of the emotionally charged faithful, in tears, beat their breasts with their hands and even iron chains in remembrance of the tragedy at Karbala in 680 A.D., in modern Iraq, where the Imam and his family members were killed.

In Sangli, Maharashtra tall taziyas were the hallmark of Muharram processions.

"These huge taziyas are made up of bamboo sticks. The works begin a month before on the evening of the festival of Bakrid. These taziyas have 119 stories and it is also called steps. The length of taziyas is 120 to 125 feet, said Nazaf Ali, a local. (ANI)