Hindu Participation in Nepal Muharram

Muharram Procession In Nepal

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Nepal, the only Hindu Kingdom in the world before being declared a republic after the end of Monarchy, has not remained untouched from the influence of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s martyrdom for protecting humanity. The Hindus in Rupandehi district of india’s neighboring nation also takes part in Muharram ceremonies with tradition ferver. They join their Muslim counterparts in taking out Taziya procession on Yaum E Ashura and till date no Hindu preist has raised any objection. Hindus of the district go to Muslim pockets to observe the festival.

The local leaders acknowledge that observing Muharram has been part of their custom and change in the constitutional set up has not put any barriers. Rather, the participation   by the people of Hindu faith has helped maintain religious harmony between the two communities in the district. Some Hindus seek invocation of Imam Hussain for fulfillment of their wishes and offer incense and sweets as  token of gratitude.

(Source: Rising Nepal Photo Courtesy : Google Images)   

Luttas Ceremony of Hindus in Etawah Muharram

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  

A Tribute to Imam Hussain by Poet Jai Singh

 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Karbala has universal appeal. Its message goes beyond caste, creed and religion. Imam Hussain sacrificed all what he had in the name of worldly possessions for the sake of humanity and hence, he is revered by all- be it Muslims or Hindus, Christians or Sikhs. Hindu poets have been in the forefront in offering tributes to martyrs of Karbala and eulogizing the role played by Imam Hussain as is evident from the following poetry of Jai Singh:

“Hai aaj bhi zamanay maeyn charcha Hussain ka
Chalta hai kayenaat maeyn sikka Hussain ka

Bharat maeyn gar wo aatay, Bhagwan kahtay hum
har Hindu naam pooja maeyn japta Hussain ka


Iss maeyn naheen kalaam kay hum but parast haeyn
Aankhon say apni choomaeyn gay rauza Hussain ka

Hum paapion kay samnay Hur ki misaal hai
Chamkata hai naseeb ishara Hussain ka

Ahlay Wial to parrhtay haeyn kalma Hussain ka
Hum hindo'oan nay parrh liya kalma Hussain ka

Sar apna jo patakti hai piyason ki yaad maeyn
Laytee hai naam Gunga o Jumna Hussain ka

Jai Singh panaah mangay gee mujh say narak ki aag
Maeyn Hindu hoon, magar hoon maeyn shaida Hussain ka


Translation :

Even to this day, Hussain's name is well known
Hussain's name is common currency for all mankind

If he had come to India, we would have called him Bhagwan
Every Hindu would have honored him in his pooja (worship)

There is no doubt that we (Hindus) worship idols
Indeed, we will kiss his grave with all our affection

For us sinners, there is the example of Hur
Hussain's cause brought Hur to the truth.

Muslims read the kalma of the Prophet
We Hindus have already read the kalma of Hussain

In memory of the thirsty (martyrs of Karbala), the waves lash on
The banks of the Gunga and Jumna remembering Hussain

Jai Singh, the fire of hell will never touch me
I am a Hindu but I love Hussain”

Source :Face book. September 28, 2009

Hussaini Qawwal No More

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Anwar Taj, a Qawwal by profession but also a prominent Taziadar of Chaubeypur died of dengu fever today. He was suffering from fever for the past couple of days but died of lack of treatment. His family could not arrange enough funds to get him cured.

He was about 55- years old. Locals received the news of his death with a sense of shock and grief. His last rites took place in the presence of his relatives and fans. His voice was a rage in late 90s. People were optimistic about his entry into Bollywood. But someone offered him’Sindur’ in food and his vocal chord got damaged. Though he tried to bounce back but could never recovered the way he and is fans wanted.

He immersed himself at a shrine near Chaubeypur, about 27 km from Kanpur city of Uttar Pradesh. He made occasional appearance on demand. He developed immense interest in Taziadari and became active in organizing Muharram processions.

He was known to the blogger personally. Whenever blogger passed through Chaubeypur, he made it a point to meet Anwar Taj. Though he was financially starving but he never compromised with hospitality. He specialized in Manqabats in praise of Maula Ali. He never performed during Muharram.On several occasions, Taj revealed as to how he found solace from the love he had for Hazrat Imam Hussain.

He used to recall fondly his contests with female Qawwalas.He also had no grudge against the man who offered him Sindur and never disclosed his identity.He used to say “ he did what he thought proper but I have forgiven him in the name of Allah as he is the best judge. Who am I to decide. Allah is the best avenger”.(Based on personal meetings with Anwar Taj and residents of Chaubeypur)

       

Hindu Mourners of Muslim Imam In Pakistan

Hindu Devotees Before Tazia  In Pakistan

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

In a Hindu majority town of Mithi in Sindh province of Pakistan, a rare case of interfaith harmony is observed during Muharram. In Mithi where Hindus fast in Ramzan, Muslims don’t slaughter cows and no temple bells ring during Azan . The Hindus share the same love for the Ahlebait (family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the Muslims and honor the sacrifice made by Hazrat Imam Hussain for the humanity. A large number of Hindu women make religious offerings and lights incense at the local Imambargah on ‘Yaume Ashura’ every year.

The Hindu community in Sindh has always held a strong belief towards inter-religious harmony and they have a special reverence for Hazrat Imam Hussain  and the martyrs of Karbala.” He said that in respect of Muharram, the Hindu community does not celebrate any of their religious or cultural events and many do not even play music at their homes or temples.

Majority of them recall that as far as they could remember ever since their childhood days, on every 9th of Muharram the elders of the family  took them to a household of a Hindu family who organized majlis and where Hindus and Muslims came together to remember and honor the sacrifice made by Hazrat Imam Hussain. Sabeels and Niyaz of Muharram are regularly arranged by the local Hindus of Mithi and many Hindus actively take part in the majalis too. Hindu youth enthusiastically supervise the security of the Muharram processions and many wear black shalwar kameez in religious observance. Many Hindu women tie ‘mannat ka dhaagah’ [threads of sacred vow] and touch the foreheads of their newly born against the passing Tazia so that they can be protected from the shadow of the devil. While others who aren’t able to bear a child pray towards the Tazia so that they can embrace motherhood.

A few years ago when Pakistan was under the grip of sectarianism, the security forces  tried to discourage the Hindus from attending the Muharram processions, but they could not succeed as  Muslims protested and ensured continuation of the participation  of the Hindus in the Muharram rites as usual.

Almost every Hindu of the area has memorized the Urdu poetry of a Hindu Brahmin poetess Devi Roop Kumari, who shared her love of Hazrat Imam Hussain  in the  verse “Main sun kay dastan-e-Karbala, main toh Hindu he rahey, aankhein Hussaini ho gaye” (After listening to the story of the holy sacrifice at Karbala, even though I stayed Hindu but my tearful eyes turned to Hussain).

(Based on Input and Picture Courtesy-The Express Tribune)

Hindus Set Example in Muharram-2019

Hindus Beating Drums in Tazia Procession in Sunur

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

A sleepy village of Bengal presented an example of inter-faith understanding during Muharram-2019, thanks to goodwill gesture of the Hindus. The incident took place in Sunur village where the Hindus beat drums when their Muslim counterparts failed to turn up to do drumming for Tazia. The Hindus took the initiative on their own out of reverence from Imam Hussain at a time when administrators were losing sleep to pre-empt trouble between communities by demarcating separate routes for Durga immersion and Muharram processions and planning elaborate police deployments throughout the state.  Located about 125 km from Kolkata, drummers of a local Durga Puja decided to beat the drums for a Muharram procession, when those hired for the Tazia procession did not show up and all efforts to trace them failed.

The Hindus noticed that Tazia processing was passing in front of Durga Puja Pandal without drummers and they immediately offered the services of their drummers for the procession.Sunur is a small village where most of the residents are dependent on agriculture for a living.The village has about 800 inhabitants, and most are Hindus. However, some of the surrounding villages are dominated by Muslims.

As a part of their custom, several Hindu women observe fast till the Muharram procession passes through. The women also offer Puja when the processions are held and break their fast only after the ritual is over. However, the Hindus never drummed in the Tazia procession and did so for the first time as a goodwill gesture.

According to Dilip  Ganguly, secretary of the Sunur Ghugia Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee Sunur was symbol of harmony and its residents always celebrated the festivals together be it Durga Puja, Deewali, Holi, Eid or Muharram.. The women folk of Hindu households also observe a fast on Muharram till they offer Puja after the procession. He feels that there is nothing wrong for us to beat drums for Tazia processions and if needed, Hindus will do again in future. He clarified that the villagers have nothing to do with petty politics centering religion. Every year Muslims participate in the Durga Puja and also raise subscriptions for the festivities.( Reference and Photo Courtesy: Hindustan Times)

Muharram in Hindu Kingdom of Vijay Nagar

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The contribution to Azadari by rulers of Hindu Kingdom of Vijay Nagar has so far given unnoticed. It is simply ironical. Imami scholars need to pay attention to the neglect of Vijay Nagar Empire ‘s role in popularizing Azadari before being destroyed by the combines forces of Bahmani Sultans. At a time when anti-Imami forces both Muslims and Non-Muslims are striving  to discourage from participating in Muharram processions, Vijay Nagar Model needs to be presented before them and people must know how a Hindu kingdom revered Imam Hussain’s martyrdom, cutting across the lines of religion.

All the rulers of Vijayanagar empire were devout Hindus. Most of the rulers were devotees of Vaishnavism. However, they were tolerant towards all religious. The Mulsims, the Christians, the Yahudis and the people of other faiths enjoyed equal freedom. According to a foreign traveller Eduardo Barbosa.” The kings allow such freedom that everyman may come and go and live according to his own creed.”

Several festivals particularly connected with the Shia faith were celeberated by the Muslims. The martyrdom of Imam Husain and Prophet’s birthday were the most important festivals. Drinking of wine, cutting of hair, etc. were prohibited during Muharram. People from all walks of life used to observe Muharram with solemnity and even rulers performed Taziadari.  

The Vijayanagara Empire (also called Karnata Empire, and the Kingdom of Bisnegar by the Portuguese) was based in the Deccan Plateau region in South India. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of Sangama Dynasty. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts by the southern powers to ward off Islamic invasions by the end of the 13th century. It lasted until 1646, although its power declined after a major military defeat in the Battle of Talikota in 1565 by the combined armies of the Deccan sultanates. The empire is named after its capital city of Vijayanagara, whose ruins surround present day Hampi, now a World Heritage Site in Karnataka province of  India.

Reference:Wikipedia