Winter Season

The temperature is falling down little by little every day. I have heard from around me that it can get pretty cold, but no chances of snow falling in Lucknow. Many people I spoke with have no idea what snow looks like. I even met people who have yet to see the sea.  They told me they only saw the sea in the movies. In my flat we have a 25 litre water heating cylinder. Locals call it Geysers. We have to pre-heat the water for 30 minutes before we can use it. This Geysers has not been used for the last 9 months. During summer the water from our tap is quite warm, so there is no need to heat the water for showers. This will be my first winter in Lucknow.

I have joined a gym. This place reminds me constantly the need to remain healthy. I love running, but it is very dangerous to run along the road and please don't talk about the pollution. I love the gym. It keeps my mind of things and enables me to meet new people. First day I ran for 6 minutes and I was like puffed out and had it for the day. However, I have decided not to give up. 

November was also a period where I met some goof friends from New Zealand. They were here just here for a couple of days but it was an awesome time. I also met some other good friends and we had a great time of sharing and caring for one another.

 In November we witnessed two major festivals in Lucknow. One was Diwali - a festival of light and the other Muharram a festival mourning and celebration.

Muhharram procession in Lucknow

Muhharram

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is not allowed. Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the dates are set by the sighting of the moon. Muharram derives from the word haraam which means "sinful".  Muharrram is held to be the most sacred of all the months, except for Ramadan.  This is the anniversary of the death of Hussein ibn Ali, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. There are two manor denominations of Islam. The Shia and Sunni denominations they attach different weights to these events and mark them in different ways. 

You see "Ashura" [the tenth day of Muharram] is a highly important day for both sects of Islam - the Shias and the Sunnis. The Shia muslims  believe that Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, became a martyr at the Battle of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram in 61 AH(680 AD). As this tragic incident happened on the tenth day of Muharram, Shia Muslims consider this a day of sorrow. They commemorate the martyrdom of Hussain as a religious occasion called "Muharram" (named after the month of its observance). 

The occasion starts on the 1st day of Muharram and lasts for 10 days until 10th of Muharram. As Muharram approaches, they put on black clothes, as black is regarded as a colour of mourning. During the entire 10 day period, they keep themselves away from music and all joyous events (e.g. weddings) that can distract them in any way from the sorrowful remembrance of that day. During each of the first nine days of Muharram, "Majalis" (assemblies) are held where Shia orators vividly depict the incident of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his party. Mainstream Shia Muslims fast until the evening. On "Ashura", devoted Muslims assemble and go out in large processions. They parade the streets holding banners and carrying models of the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his people, who fell at Karbala. Some Shia sects observe "Ashura" by beating themselves with chains in public, cutting themselves with knives and sharp objects and holding mournful public processions. Shia Muslims do so to replicate the sufferings of Hussein ibn Ali on the Day of Ashura. This is an expression of their grief on the death of their favourite leader Hussain, considered to be the representative of Allah.

During Muhharam Shia Muslims replicate the suffering of Hussein ibn Ali

Note: Shiites are descended from Muhammad’s daughter, Fatima, and his son-in-law, Ali.  In the years that followed Hussein Ali’s assassination in 661 A.D., leadership of Islam was claimed by the Ummayad dynasty, a Sunni sect.  Nevertheless, Ali’s followers continued to claim his son, Hussein, the Third Imam, as the rightful heir.  After years of bitter dispute, Hussein and his Shia followers migrated north from the Arabian Peninsula into Iraq. For both sects the issue of succession was an issue. Who is the rightful one to replace Prophet Mohammad? 

This is ok for worshippers

 While it is a period of sorrow for the Shia denomination, it is a joyful occasion for the Sunni denomination. While Shia Muslims consider "Muharram" to be a sorrowful occasion, Sunni Muslims observe it as a festival and look at "Ashura" as a happy day though the religious aspect remains intact. Pious Sunnis keep a fast ("roja") on "Ashura" as per the "Hadith"(a tradition based on reports of the sayings and activities of Muhammad and his companions) of Prophet Muhammad. According to the "Hadith", the Prophet saw the Jews fasting on the 10th of Muharram to commemorate their liberation from Egyptian slavery and the extermination of the army of the Pharaoh in the waters of the Red Sea. Prophet Mohammed liked the custom for he believed that it was Allah who saved the Israelites from their enemy in Egypt. He started to fast on the same day as the Jews but he planned to fast on the 9th and 10th from the following year. But death came in between him and his pious wish. Usually, Sunni Muslims are recommended to fast either on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Spiritual Satisfaction?

So one denomination rejoices while other mourns is because Hussein Ali who succeeded as leader of Shia was not recognised by Sunni denomination and during the battle at Karbala, Hussein Ali was killed by Sunni Sect. So during Muharram things can get a bit "frosty" between the two denomination during Muharram and "Ashura". While one denomination mourns and the other rejoice over the same incident, there are often sectarian clashes between them, even it is forbidden to fight during these auspicious festival.  

When I witnessed these festival, I was shocked. Even small kids were smashing long tube light on their faces. I rarely saw women participating in such acts however, they followed the procession with their family along the way. During these days, many police officers were deployed to prevent any anti-social behaviour. For us, we meant not to wonder around these areas because anything can happen.

I am going to travel around India from 20th December 2013 for 30 days. I need a break and it is time for some touristic stuff. 

Winter or no winter, I am sure it will be cold. I am so looking forward to cooler weather and an opportunity to spend more hours with the community.

Regards

Ravi