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Asif Khan

Muharram

'Taboot' (coffin) and 'Jhoola' (swing) procession. They symbolise the coffin of Imam Hussain and the swing of his six months old son, Ali Asghar, who was killed at the Karbala and is said to be the youngest martyr.
Majlis in progress. A daily occurrence, it is held twice a day, during which a Zaakir speaks on matters of faith. This culminates in a sorrow filled rendering of an incident from Karbala.
Inside an Imambara, which are halls for congregating during Muharram to mourn the passing of Imam Hussain and his family during the tragic events of Karbala in 680 AD.
Broken bangles at altar for placing Taziya. In keeping with the tradition of mourning, women break their glass bangles, and during this period, Shi'a Muslims dress simply, abstaining from bright colours, jewellery and makeup.
During a Majlis, amidst chants of 'Ya Hussain' and 'Ya Ali', men beat their chests in mourning, known as 'maatam'.
Children playing after sunset. Villagers, regardless of their religion, collect outside homes while a Majlis is in progress, in hopes of getting 'hissa', usually a snack distributed at the end of the majlis.
Guests relax after lunch before the beginning of the day's Majlis.
While a procession may be composed of a greater number of youth, the elderly aren't left behind and are equally a part with their fervour.
Majlis in progress, as a member of the household rushes to take care of proceedings.
A 'maatam' procession about to begin. Called 'tatbir', men stripped bare to their waists, walk through the streets while flagellating their backs with steel blades tied to chains.
Blood soaked back of a mourner after performing 'tatbir' or self-flagellation at a 'maatam' procession.
Horse rolls around in dust to stretch himself before being readied for the ritual. Dressed as a war horse, it will symbolise Zuljanah, the horse of Imam Hussain, as on the battleground of Karbala.
Cousins of Asghar entering the inside quarters of the house, which accommodate the women. Only close male family members are allowed to enter inside during this period.
Neighbours from the village feeding the horse with sweets. Considered a sacred animal, caring for Zuljanah is believed to fulfill wishes.
Ruins of a mud house. Shi'a Muslim families in north India congregate at their ancestral villages to observe Muharram and spend the first ten days of the month, till the day of Ashura, together.
A family elder listening to the Majlis while sitting next to a taziya from last year in the courtyard. Closer to Ashura, this taziya will be decorated again and taken out in procession.
People circumambulating a well, believed to grant fulfillment of wishes, at the local Karbala upon the onset of Muharram.
Grave being dug at the cemetery, or local Karbala, for burying taziya.
Tired men take a nap under a tree shade. There is little sleep in the days leading to Ashura.

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