Ashura
Ashura falls on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram, and is the climax of the Mourning of Muharram. The day commemorates the martyrdom of Ali, the third Shia Imam, along with his family and friends, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.
The Shia Jama Masjid in Delhi is in Shahjahanabad, just north of the railway tracks. On this day, crowds gather in the early hours in silent mourning; knives are washed; and the air is tense with anticipation. The religious ceremony starts with the quiet moaning of the worshippers, men and women in their separate areas, as they mourn for Ali. The wailing grows louder and louder as those assembled become more emotional. After a mock coffin is circulated for the faithful to touch, the men gather in the main area of the mosque start to beat their chests violently in time.
As crowds gather outside the mosque, a horse carrying a symbolically bloodstained cloth and two turbans, representing Ali’s sons (Hussein and Hassan) is lead from the mosque. It is followed by the Shia men, many carrying scars from previous Ashuras, who strip to the waist and begin to flagellate themselves with knives attached to chains, razor blades and kitchen knives. Old and young participate and the streets run with blood. Many become weak and have to be cared for by helpers standing by with bandages and water. Patched up, the men then congregate into a line and proceed down the street, beating their chest with blades in unison as they march bloodily away.
These photographs were taken at Ashura on 28 December 2009 and 17 December 2010.
Read MoreThe Shia Jama Masjid in Delhi is in Shahjahanabad, just north of the railway tracks. On this day, crowds gather in the early hours in silent mourning; knives are washed; and the air is tense with anticipation. The religious ceremony starts with the quiet moaning of the worshippers, men and women in their separate areas, as they mourn for Ali. The wailing grows louder and louder as those assembled become more emotional. After a mock coffin is circulated for the faithful to touch, the men gather in the main area of the mosque start to beat their chests violently in time.
As crowds gather outside the mosque, a horse carrying a symbolically bloodstained cloth and two turbans, representing Ali’s sons (Hussein and Hassan) is lead from the mosque. It is followed by the Shia men, many carrying scars from previous Ashuras, who strip to the waist and begin to flagellate themselves with knives attached to chains, razor blades and kitchen knives. Old and young participate and the streets run with blood. Many become weak and have to be cared for by helpers standing by with bandages and water. Patched up, the men then congregate into a line and proceed down the street, beating their chest with blades in unison as they march bloodily away.
These photographs were taken at Ashura on 28 December 2009 and 17 December 2010.
