Karbala Nawabganj-Emerging Spiritual Hospital

Baradari With Patients at Badi Karbala 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Badi Karbala Nawabganj in Kanpur is fast emerging as a spiritual hospital. The corner where exists a well and ‘Alam’(standard)  of Ghazi Abbas is installed literally remains filled with patients stricken with various mental disorders. A few years back, only one or two patients were seen around the well in a week. But now a constant stream of ailing persons at the Karbala has become a regular feature. Their number has been swelling after the renovation of Karbala and increased awareness about its existence. Initially, Karbala was on the outskirts of the city. It was also devoid of easy accessibility. Devotees used to assemble here during Muharram in view of its association with Nishan-e-Paik. Things changed drastically when a Barrage was constructed near it and last year a new road was developed to connect Kanpur and Lucknow. These developments provided better assess to Karbala and its popularity as a spiritual healing center began to grow. Among Imami shrines in India, Hussain Tekri of Madhya Pradesh had the distinction of being a spiritual hospital. A large number of devotees who had given up medical treatment and lost all hopes of recovery used to converge there in large number and they were cured miraculously. The tradition still continues there. Then, shrine of Maula Ali at Jogipura started getting such patients. Majority of them were directed to be at Jogipura in dreams during their stay at Hussain Tekri. Now Nawabganj Badi Karbala is following the suit but with no such claims from those visiting the shrine wit the hope of cure.

Persons accompanying the patients told the blogger that some caretakers who are not Imamis but have been involved in the treatment pray for them and invoke intercession of Imam Husain and Maula Abbas for treatment. Some patients who are brought in a violent condition calm down the moment they see shrine and Alam. Their recovery begins the moment they are tied to Alam with Kalawa (sacred thread).The healers own their recovery to the blessings of Maula Hasan, Hussain and Abbas. As the new managing committee is striving to add more grandeur to Karbala and construction of a majestic entrance is underway, the only Islamic shrine perhaps on the bank of holy Ganges seems to be destined to become a prominent center of spiritual healing.

Nawabganj Badi Karbala is one of the oldest Imami shrines and the credit for developing it rests with some prominent Syed families of Shamsabad in district Farrukhabad. Later on, Raza Babu, a prominent merchant and lover of Ahle-Bait-e-Athar, got erected its boundary. When its rear wall collapsed about ten years ago, prominent congress leader and IPL Chairman, Mr. Rajeev Shukla generously donated funds for its reerection.          

The Entrance of Badi Karbala Under Construction

Photos mailed by Mr.Deshraj Sahu