309-year-old Tazia attracts devout Muslims in Gorakhpur

Muslim faithful in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, are thronging to see a 309-year-old Tazia (a replica of a mausoleum) made from gold and silver, owned by the erstwhile Imambara Estate.

The Imambara is considered to be a symbol of brotherhood where people of all faiths pray for the fulfillment of their wishes and desires.

"This age-old tradition is being preserved till this day. It is noteworthy that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians rise above religious prejudices and come and pray here together.This Imambara is a symbol of brotherhood.People in distress come here to pray for the fulfilment of their desires.They come here with hope and all their desires are fulfilled here.It is a very significant symbol of faith."said a devotee, Taukeer Aaleem.

The Imambara attracts women devotees as well who visit the place with a wish for the fulfilment of their desires.

"Muharram is being celebrated here since a long time.People from far off places come to visit this place. Their are gold and silver Tazias which are the shrines of holy men and people have great faith in these shrines.Devotees come here and ask for the fulfilment of their desires and offer Kohl and garlands of flowers, "said another devotee, Suganthi Khan.

Devout Muslims also prepared a Tazia (a replica of Hussain's tomb) with gold and silver decorations ahead of the Muharram procession (in the first month of the Islamic calendar) to pay homage to Imam Hussein on the anniversary of his martyrdom at Karbala.

Muharram marks the death anniversary of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, who was killed in a battle with political rival, Yazid, in A.D. 680 in the Iraqi city of Karbala.

The climax of Muharram is the 10th dayof the Muslim new year month, known as Ashura, when Shia Muslims flog themselves with steel-tipped flails or slash their bodies with knives to express solidarity with Hussein.

Imam Hussain was killed in the battle of Karbala along with 72 of his relatives, friends and supporters.