Taziyas made by Hindus integral part of Ashura processions in Karachi

In this bustling metropolis of Pakistan, taziyas made by Hindus in the courtyards of Hindu temples are a prominent part of the Ashura procession taken out on the ninth and 10th days of Muharram to remember the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his people in Karbala.

In at least two ancient Hindu temples in the old city area of Karachi, the Hindu community has worked with zeal and passion to make taziyas, which are a representation of the tombs of Hazrat Imam Hussain and Hazrat Imam Hasan, the grandsons of Prophet Muhammad, and are an integral part of the Ashura procession.

"We have been making these taziyas for three generations now and it is something we feel proud and passionate about," Rajesh, a Hindu, said in the Hindu-dominated Narainpura area of Karachi.

Rajesh worked day and night in the backyard of the Rama Pir temple with other Hindu youngsters to make the "Dhun Jee Sain" taziya with money collected from donations.

A few miles away on Akbar Road, members of the Hindu community have worked in the courtyard of the 100-year-old Mari Mata temple to prepare an imposing taziya, which will be used in the 10th Muharram procession on Ashura.

"This is known as the Mai Jannat taziya. Our elders have been making it at this very spot since even before partition," Gond Saleem said.

Gond, who practises Hinduism after his Hindu father who married a Muslim woman, is an autorickhsaw driver. He devotes a month to make the taziya every year.

"My mother, Mehmooda, also made it a point to see that the Mai Jannat taziya was prepared every year for Ashura till her death last year," he said, adding, "We carry on our elders' wishes."