A View of Luttas ceremony In Etawah
Dr.Mazhar
Naqvi
A
peculiar ceremony by Hindus is an integral part of Muharram in Etawah city of
Uttar Pradesh state of India. Better known as home district of Samajvadi party chief
Akhilesh Yadav and his illustrious father Mulayam Singh Yadav, the ceremony is
known as ‘Luttas’ among the locals and has remained the much awaited attraction of Muharram procession.
Introduced
by the family of Rakesh Gupta, a merchant by profession, after the family was
blessed by a male child by invoking intercession of Imam Hussain. In the first
year, utensils were distributed like langar and destitute thronged in large
number to grab the opportunity. Since then, the custom has evoked popularity
and it is estimated that in Muharram -2019 utensils worth Rs.1 crore were distributed.
The
blessed off spring was named Fakir Chand. The family is committed to keeping he
tradition alive. According to Rakesh, his grandfather had five daughters. Being
devoid of a son, the society looked upon him with pity as was the thinking of people
of those time. He invoked intercession of Imam before a Tazia and when his wife
gave birth to a male child, entire family celebrated the occasion. In Muharram,
he shared joy with devotees by distributing utensils and eatables.
In
his life time, the tradition became very popular. People started attending
ceremony in large number but the family never allowed anyone empty handed. To
ensure judicious system of distribution, utensils were thrown on the crowd and everyone
rushed to grab. Hence, the names “ Luttas”(Robbing off ) cropped up. Rakesh gets
support from his wife and son. Even relatives come to his house to attend
ceremony. District authorities also attend Luttas ceremony. During the rush to
grab utensils, several persons get injured every year but n one has any grudge
and they consider as a blessing.
Etawah
is the only place in India where such a unique and only of its kind ceremony
takes place as part of the Muharram observation. The citizens consider luttas
as their proud possession.
Source:
Based on newspaper reports. Photo Courtesy Google Images
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