Maharaja Siyaji Rao's tazia in Vadodra

An Old Photograph of Tazia procession in Baroda,now Vadodra

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Over 150 years old famous Hakimwada Tazia was procession was initiated by the illustrious ruler of Vadodara Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Historical scholars reveal that Hakim Chacha in whose memory the locality is known as Hakimwada was attached toroyal curt as a physician.He was much respected by the ruler. At his instance, Maharaja started the custom of Taziadari and used to visit Imam Chowk to pay his respects to the martyrs of Karbala during his lifetime.

Another unique feature of Hakimwada Tazia is that it is cooled down by the priest of Bahucharaji temple. it is perhaps the only Tazia in India that is cooled down by a temple priest. Since the days of Maharaja, Hakimwada Tazia makes a stopover at the temple where the priest douse it with rose water and petals and offer a coconut(nariyal) as Bhog. Thereafter, it goes to Karbala at Ajwa for 
burial.

Mahraja was born on March 11,1863 and ruled till 1939.he is credited with his brining many reforms in Baroda State.He strongly beliefed in inter-faith understanding and ruled with sense of equity and justice. He showed great respect to all religions and patronized aertists, including Tazia makers. He is remembered as a great patron of arets and cuture. During his rule, Baroda, now Vadodra, had become a center of art and aertists and scholars from all over India settled in Baroda.The celebrated painter, Raja ravi Verma, also o spent many years at his royal court.

Maharaja left for his heavenly abode after ruling Baroda for 63 years and left behind legacy like Hakimwada Tazia. He died on 6 February 1939, to be succeeded by his heir and grandson Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad.

Source: Internet/Newspaper reports/Photo Courtesy Google Images