The Ashura, the 10th day of Moharram, which marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, saw the historic Bibi-Ka-Alam procession begin from the eponymous Ashoorkhana amid chants of ‘Ya Husain’ and displays of ritual mourning.

Thousands joined the procession under the watch of the city police. It began around 1.15 pm and followed the designated route through Shaik Faiz Kamaan, Etebar Chowk and Kotla Alijah. The procession reached Charminar around 3.35 pm, with mounted police clearing the way for Sreedevi, the elephant atop which the alam, or battle standard, was carried. All along the route, devotees offered dhattis.

The chants changed to cries of “wavailaa”, a form of mourning expressing deep anguish over the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain and his family.

Water kiosks had been set up, and sherbet was served to passersby. In some cases, enthusiastic youths insisted that pedestrians and motorists accept the refreshments. In other locations, such as Lad Bazaar, large vessels were lined up and food was served to visitors.

Keeping with tradition, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar, flanked by other senior police officers, paid his respects to the alam. Speaking to the media soon after, he said: “The proceedings are going on smoothly. There are around 2,000 personnel here. There are inner and outer rope parties. The elephant, Sreedevi, has been cooperative. We have used drones and CCTV cameras, and have coordinated with other departments to ensure that the procession goes on smoothly. All arrangements have been made.”

The khooni maatam continued with bare chested men, either wearing black trousers, black shalwars, or black pajamas, self-flagellated with daggers, knives or smaller blades. High adrenaline, and emotions were palpable. Some performed the khooni maatam near their foreheads, and urged curious onlookers, and the devout not to film them on their cameras.

Among the sea of black were families, men who had arrived in the city from towns from other States such as Omerga in Maharashtra, Bidar in Karnataka and districts such as Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda in Telangana.

“I try my best to come to Hyderabad on dus moharram (10th of Moharram) with a couple of my friends. It is an important day for all of us and the juloos here is something that I always want to see. Especially the elephant,” said Mohammed Nasir, a student from Bidar said.

The fervour continued with the procession moving towards Gulzar Houz, Panje Shah, Darul Shifa, and culminate at Masjid-e-Ilahi in Chaderghat.