Shahi Zari Juloos taken out in Lucknow on 1st Muharram

By TCN Special Correspondent,

Lucknow: Hundreds of devout Shia Muslims joined in the traditional 'shahi zari ka juloos' in Lucknow on Wednesday. The procession marked the commencement of Muharram-- the month of mourning to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain and his caravan in Karbala.

The juloos which traces its history to the period of third nawab of Awadh Mohammad Ali Shah (1837-42) is managed by Hussainabad and Allied Trust headed by the District Magistrate (DM) of Lucknow.

As a tradition the juloos has a zari prepared with bamboo stick and wax along with a procession of camels, elephants and hundreds of devout Shias draped in black signifying their mourning. The procession originated from Bada Imambara and culminated at Chota Imambara.

"There is a list of 34 items which are part of the procession," said secretary of the trust and ADM city OP Pathak. They include Alam Hazrat Abbas, Taboot with shamiyana, Zarihey Aqdas-Mom and Zarihey Aqdas-Abraqi, Zuljunah (duldul) with chatri and pankha. Sozkhawan recite the marsiyas highlighting the martyrdom of Imam Husain. Several types of buntings along with matami band also accompanied the procession. The mourners also performed azadari en route of the procession.

Meanwhile, Shikoh Azad of Royal Family of Awadh demanded high level security for the upcoming Muharram processions in Lucknow. In wake of the Varanasi terror attack on Tuesday, Azad stated that CCTVs be installed en route of all processions.