Pics: Muharram celebrated with gaiety across the country

New Delhi, Nov 14: Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calender, is celebrated with 'juloos' and 'jalsas' on the streets. Some prefer fasting during daylight hours on the 9th, 10th and the 11th days of the month, while others offer special peayers at home or the mosques. However, some Shia Muslims consider it as the month of mourning, remembering the Battle of Karbala.

Kerala, for instance, is famous for its Tiger dance or the Pulikali where Muslims paint their bodies with patterns like that of a Tiger, wear masks and parade through the streets mimicking like the animal. Done to celebrate the valour of Immam Hussain or Husayn ibn Ali (the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad).

Food, firecrackers, communal meals in mosques are some of the other features of the festival.

In Allahabad

Muslims participating in Muharram procession in Allahabad on Wednesday.

In Ajmer

Devotees participate in the Mehndi ceremony at the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer on 7th of Muharram on Tuesday.

In Allahabad

Muslims participating in Muharram procession in Allahabad on Wednesday.

In Allahabad

Muslims participating in Muharram procession in Allahabad on Tuesday.

In Srinagar

Shia muslims participate in a Muharram procession in Srinagar on Tuesday. Muharam is observed to mourn the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad.

In Ajmer

People during the procession of Chowki ki Dhulai ahead of Muharram festival at the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer.