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 Muharram is the first month of the Islamic liturgical year. It is one of the four months of the Islamic year in which fighting is prohibited. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar. The first day of Muharram falls on January or February. The Muharram celebrations in Madhya Pradesh in India are one of the most elaborate Islamic celebrations in the state. It is also one of the most important fairs and festivals in Madhya Pradesh.
The Shi’ite and Sunnis have different beliefs and ways of celebrating Muharram. According to the Shi’ite Muslims, the commemoration of Muharram marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala. The Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, 61 AH (October 9 or 10, 680 CE) in Karbala, in modern day Iraq.
The battle was fought between the men of Husayn ibn Ali's and Yazid I. Husayns’s group is said to have consisted of notable members of Muhammad's close relatives. The group had around 72 men, of which some were either very old or very young. Husayn and some members of his group were accompanied by some of the women and children from their families. On the opposite side, the armed forces of Yazid I were led by Umar ibn Sa'ad and contained at least 40,000 men.
Shia traditions state that Husayn ibn Ali's group killed over 20% of the enemy before being defeated and Husayn himself killed at least 900 soldiers, despite the fact that he was thirsty and hungry for 3 days. It is stated that he died to resurrect Islam.
The Battle of Karbala is one of the most significant battles in the history of Shia Muslims. The Muharram celebrations in Madhya Pradesh mark a colorful procession with a tajia which is a form of a decorated palanquin. The members of the procession hit themselves hard with chains and sticks until blood oozes out of their bodies in memory of the death of Husayn and the bloodshed at the Battle of Karbala. Muharram in Madhya Pradesh like elsewhere is also marked by a fast.
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