Muharram in Sandila- An All People Affair

Kallu Chaudhary Ka Tazia in Sandila 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Sandila, once famous for its special Boondi Laddoos (a kind of Indian sweet), now ranks among those rare towns of India where Muharram rituals are still observed with sweetness and fragrance of inter-faith understanding. The young generation is not much aware today that their town once produced the most delicious Laddoos but all Muharram rituals observed in Sandila between Chand Raat and Yaum-E-Ashura not only remain on their finger tips but they also ensure their participation in them. People of Sandila settled in US, Europe, Middle-East and other countries strive to be in Sandila during the first ten days of Muharram. Not only Imamis but Sunnis and Hindus too arrive in Sandila to observe Muharram. They also recite marsiyas, perform sozkhwani, attend majalis and keep embellished tazias also. With the sighting of Muharram crescent,  a pall of gloom envelopes the entire town that is part of district Hardoi..Anjuman-e-Siptainia takes out a procession to welcome Ayam-E-Aza from Karbala Ali Sher. After passing through traditional routes, the procession terminates to Dargah Hazrat Abbas.The first Muharram witnesses a Zari procession from Azakhana Chaudhary Muslim Raza and Chaudhry Ateeq Raza on rotation basis. Anjuman-E-Siptainia takes out an Alam(Standared) procession to mark 2^nd Muharram. It starts from Dargah Hazrat Abbas and terminates there only after the traditional Gasht. Both Anjumans   take out Alam processions on 3rd Muharram. While Anjuman Rizviya takes out procession from Imambara Zahurual Hasan, Anjuman-E-Siptainia does likewise    from Imambara Salman Sahib that requires immediate repairs.Both processions terminate at Dargah Hazrat Abbas and witness Zanjeer Zani.  Aag Ka Matam( Chest beating on fire) marks 4^th Muharram at Azakhana Afaq Vakil under the aegis of Anjuman Siptainia. Sunni Hazrats also take out ‘Putti Ka Tazia’ with grandeur on this day. An Alam procession is taken out by Anjuman Siptainia from Imambara Saeed Saheb in Mohalla Mandai on 5^th Muharram. It goes to Dargah Hazrat Abbas. Another procession originates from Imambara Achchan Sahib with its historic Tazia. Sunni Hazrats perform marsiyakhwani in the procession.The 6th Muharram witnesses an Alam  procession by children from Azakhana Chaudhary Sultan Nabi.The procession goes to Imambara ‘Khuli Kivaria’ and then proceeds to its final destination i.e. Dargah. Mehndi procession is also taken out on 6^th Muharram by Sunni admirers of Imam Hussain. They also perform heart-melting marsiyakhwani.

Muharram observance seems to be at its zenith on 7^th Muharram. As many as five Takht processions are taken out by Imamis and Sunnis. The oldest 'Kala Takht'(Black Coffin) procession is taken out by Sunnis. It goes through the streets of Sandila before coming back to its Chowk. It again takes round of the town on 8^th Muharram. Another Takht procession originates from Azakhana Jafar Hussain Saheb .The  blue color Takht also returns to its point of origin after Gasht amidst recital of Nauha “Laash Nausha Ki Maidan se late hain Hussain.”( Hussainis returning with the trampled body  of Groom- a reference to martyrdom of Hazrat Qasim and his wedding at Karbala).  

 In the afternoon, all Takhts assemble at Mandai Imambara and move in procession with Anjuman-e-Rizviya performing Matam to the tune of Nauhas. An Alam procession is taken out in memory of Ghazi Abbas from Mohalla Mahatwana from Azakhana of  Dr.Aftab on 8th Muharram. Devotees rent the air with  ‘Ya Abbas Ya Pyas Pyas, Gunjti thi Yez Sada, Ya Abbas Pyas Pyas” while resorting to heavy chest- beating.Another Alam procession in memory of Hazrat Abbas emerges from Imambara Nawab Asad Ali.It ends at dargah Chotey Hazrat. Hazri in his memory is also hosted by a large number of devotees. Shab-e-Ashur witnesses a series of Tabut( coffin) Jhula, Alam processions.The most prominent among them is the Tazia  Julus of Babu Badhene.This procession is now accompanied by another Julus that originates from Imambara nazim sahib with Amari,Zuljana and recital of Nauhas to the tune of shehnai. Until recently both the processions were separate but now they have merged to symbolize harmony.Sunnis also take out Tazia and Zari processions besides reciting shahadatnama at Imam chowks.Both Matami Anjumans go to all Imambaras and Chowks wioth their Alams. Hindus also participate in Shabe Ashur Julooses and one of them comes from Mumbai to participate in Aag Ka Matam every year.  One Devendra Kumar who has been christened as Devendra Hussaini due to his sheer love for Imam Hussain, also recites soz in front of Tazias and before majalis in Imambaras. On being asked as to why does he   take part in Muharram, he says “ I do so in response to a divine call about two decades ago. It also gives me mental peace and enhance spirituality in me” Yaum-e-Ashura attracts thousands of people from the neighbouring areas. The Ashura  procession of Anjuman-e-Siptainia  starts from Mandai Masjid while Anjuman-e-Rizviya takes out its julus from Imambara  Khuli Kivaria and ends it with Aag Ka Matam at Imambara Haveli where Majlis -e-Shame ghareeban is also held. Anjuman-e-Siptainia terminates its procession at Saudagar Ka Imambara .Enroute Nauhas like ’Hum to Awaz Pe Awaz Diye Jayenge” ( We shall keep on calling )or “ Hai Tasawwur Mein Mere Aamna ka Lakhte Jigar- Noor Hi Noor Hai Phaila Ta Hadde Nazar “(Son of Aamna is in my imagination- Light is spread as long as I can see)  are usually recited. Qama and Zanjeer Ka Matam is performed on the traditional Sada(Call) “Ali Ali Hai Ali.Azadari remains at a feverish pitch even after Yaum-e-Ashura.Admirers of Imam Hussain pay glowing triobutes to Aseeran-e-Karbala(Survivors of Karbala tragedy) by taking out Changa Teli  Ka Takht from Mandai Imam Chowk.The Takht procession starts on 11th Muharram and ends on 13th after moving continuously with very short breaks at other Chowks in its traditional routes.( The article is based on the inputs given by a resident of Sandila Mr. Meesum Rizvi, son of Late Ashur Sahib).