Lucknow :

Considered the seat of azadari (practices related to mourning the death of Imam Hussain and his family), Lucknow this year completes 145 years of carrying out the taboot (coffin) of Hazrat Ali on the 21st Ramzan, falling this year on Thursday.

As per Shia belief, Ibne Muljim struck Hazrat Ali with a poisoned sword as the latter was offering morning prayers at a masjid in Iraq on 19th Ramzan. After battling for his life, Hazrat Ali succumbed to injuries on 21st Ramzan.

On this day, Shia Muslims observe martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Ali (son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad) by holding grand majlis and mourning processions, a tradition started by Syed Hasan Mirza from his house in Moulviganj in 1870 and within a decade, it became so popular organizers had to shift to a spacious place.

The procession now starts from Najaf Rauza (Rustamnagar) and culminates at Karbala Talkatora. By the time the procession reaches Haiderganj it is broad daylight and the coffin is covered with a century-old piece of black cloth brought by Hasan Mirza when he visited Najaf (Iraq). Due to this, it is popularly known as Hasan Mirza taboot. A majlis is also organised where Maulana Meesam Qasim Jerveli recites the Hadees.

General Secretary of the anjuman (committee) that prepares the coffin and fourth generation of Hasan Mirza, Syed Mukhtar Hussain Zaidi, said, “Except for the period from 1978 to 1998, when azadari was stopped in Lucknow, the procession has been taken out every single year.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Uzma Talha, TNN / July 09th, 2015