Are schools open today — July 7? Check Muharram holiday date and other holidays in July
Sunday holiday: All Sunday in July are non-working days, including July 6, 13, 20, and 27.
Kanwar Yatra: It is possible that some schools in Noida, Ghaziabad and Haridwar declare a school holiday due to Kanwar Yatra but no official confirmation has been made yet. Official announcement is awaited.
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
This 200-year-old Madhya Pradesh temple brings Hindus and Muslims together on Muharrum for a sacred ritual
In a moving show of communal harmony , Muharram processions in the small town of Bhander continue to honour a nearly two-century-old tradition: paying respects to Lord Krishna at the Chaturbhuj temple before proceeding toward Karbala. On Sunday, as 37 tazias (ceremonial Muharram tableaux) made their way through the streets of Bhander in Datia district, they paused outside the Chaturbhuj Maharaj temple — offering a 'salami' (salute) to the deity in a ritual that has long been part of the town's collective heritage. Built by a Muslim family, guarded by a shared faith What makes this tradition remarkable is that the temple itself was constructed nearly 200 years ago by a local Muslim family — the Hazaris — and even today, the site stands as a testament to the shared faith and culture known as Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb . "This year we had 37 tazias, and on the last day, the route passes first through Chaturbhuj Maharaj temple and then to the Karbala," Abdul Jabbar, head of the Bhander Karbala Committee , told ToI. "The tazias first pay 'salami' before moving ahead. The priest of the temple comes out and blesses the tazias." For 63-year-old Jabbar, the ritual is deeply personal. "I am 63 years old and I have seen it since my childhood. The idol at the temple was found centuries ago by a local Muslim family named the Hazari family in Sontalai, a pond situated in the town. The family then built the temple." Live Events He recounted a powerful tale passed down through generations — about the idol refusing to move unless a Hazari family member was present during the annual 'gyaras' holy bath. "Later, close to the country's Independence, only one elderly female member of the Hazari family was alive. She too was bedridden, and on gyaras when people couldn't lift the idol, she was somehow brought to the temple. The folklore says, 'here she prayed and told the idol, Ab uth jaana , koi nahi aa payega humare parivar se (from now on get lifted, no one from our family will be able to come now).' It is said, people were able to move the idol since then." From generation to generation, the legacy continues Ramesh Panda, the current temple priest, says his family has served at the temple for generations — and always with the support of the Muslim community. 'The temple has around 5 bighas of land donated by the Muslim family that built it. It's a nearly 200-year-old temple. My maternal grandfather used to be the priest there. After his death, my father became the priest, and after his death, I am the priest,' he told TOI. He also recalled times of communal tension, when the local Muslim community stepped forward to protect the temple. 'The temple was not only built by a Muslim family but guarded by Muslims. I remember decades ago there was communal tension. At that time, police arrived here but local Muslims came forward assuring the administration that they would guard the temple and no police or force was required,' Panda said.
New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Thanjavur Hindu residents celebrate annual ‘Allah Festival' on Muharram
THANJAVUR: In a display of the region's syncretic traditions, Hindu residents of Kasavalanadu Pudur, a village near Thanjavur, observed the annual 'Allah Festival' on the occasion of Muharram on Sunday. Though the village has only a few Muslim families, the predominantly Hindu population has long upheld this unique tradition. Preparations for the festival began ten days in advance, with residents cleaning and decorating the 'Allah Koil,' an ancient public shrine located at the village chavadi (community square). The structure was adorned with fresh flowers, electric lights, and a newly painted green flag- an important symbol for the event. On Saturday night, a key ritual marked the beginning of the event. A symbolic representation known as the 'Five Fingers Allah'— a hand figure with five fingers — was taken out in a grand procession, followed by similar symbols with four, three, two and one finger respectively, each tied to a pole. On Sunday, the day of Muharram, residents offered prayers from their doorsteps and draped silk towels over the symbolic hand figures as a mark of reverence. The festival culminated with a traditional fire-walking ceremony (Thee Mithi) at the chavadi, performed by devotees who had taken vows.
Hans India
9 hours ago
- Hans India
Thousands of Muslims mark Ashura with solemnity, remorse
Hyderabad: Hyderabad observed 'Youm-e-Ashura', the 10th day of the Islamic month Moharram with due solemnity, somberness and mourning in remembrance of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain, his family and companions in the battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Amid tight security, thousands of Shia Muslims took part in the historic 'Bibi-ka-Alam' procession in Old City on Sunday. Hyderabad Deccan is one of the prominent cities in India where there is a long tradition of Moharram mourning. 'Bibi-ka-Alam' attracts attention as the most visible Alam (replica) of the Deccan's tradition, there are numerous other places or Ashoorkhanas where alams are installed and people in thousands throng them. It was all black and blood as a mood of Shia Muslims mourning and passing through the lanes in the Old City, where the Bibi-ka-Alam, the traditional mourning procession was taken from Bibi-ka-Alawa in Dabeerpura to Masjid-e-Ilahi in Chaderghat near Musi on an elephant 'Lakshmi' which was brought from Karnataka. En route the procession, amid cries of 'Ya Hussain' and recitation of Marsiyas (elegies) and Nuoha-khwani (poems expressing sorrow), the barefoot self-flagellating with chains and swords in remembrance of the Martyrs. Water and juices made-up of milk and jaggery were distributed from the water sabeels set up at various places in the Old City, which has the second highest population of Shia Muslims in the country after Lucknow. Bibi-ka-Alawa houses the Alam, believed to contain a piece of wooden plank on which Prophet Mohammed's daughter Bibi Fatima Zehra, was given the final ablution, was carried on caparisoned elephant. Historically, the 'Alam' was brought from Karbala to Hyderabad during the reign of Qutub Shahi dynasty. The Alam was preserved in the calligraphy with Arabic lettering of Allah, Prophet Mohammed and Hazrath Imam Ali. It was later covered with an alloy of metals and gold. Six green pouches in the shape of earrings containing precious gems were secured on both sides of the Alam, which is kept under the strict vigil of the police security. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said that Moharram symbolises sacrifice and tolerance. In a message to mark the Youm-e-Ashura, the Chief Minister said that Moharram serves as a bridge for unity and harmony among people, regardless of their caste and religion. Starting from Bibi-ka-Alawa in Dabeerpura the procession passed through Yakutpura, it stopped at the Ashoorkhana 'Khadam-e-Rasool' where the footprints of Prophet Mohammed are displayed. The next stop was at Peeli gate in Purani Haveli, where one of the members of the Nizam's family offered 'Dhatti' to the Alam and it concluded at Chaderghat. The Nizam IX, Nawab Mir Mohammed Azmet Ali Khan offered traditional 'Dhatti' and 'Nazrana' to Bibi-ka-Alam. The Hyderabad City police commissioner CV Anand along with the other police officers offered Datti to the Alam near Charminar and remained with the procession, till it passed from the historic Charminar. Over 3,000 police personnel along with the RAF were deployed along the Alam's route to keep vigil of the precious gems mounted on the elephant along with Alam. A medical emergency was also deployed during the mourning procession.
