Weeping Lucknow – Muharram

Understanding the 68 days of mourning in Lucknow*

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and the most important month for Muslims after Ramzan (Ramadan). Instead of joyous celebration, Shia Muslims mark the beginning of the New Year with sorrow by participating in mournful gatherings – mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala.

Other than Iran, India has the largest Shia population in the world, while Lucknow hosts the most in India, thus the observance of Muharram in Lucknow is the longest, most unique and beyond compare.

We take you on a curated tour of Lucknow’s Muhharam, where one experiences, how the city has maintained the legacy of this mourning custom from the Nawabi era till date and that too unchanged. Hindus too take part in these rituals with great reverence and devotion, making Muharram a unique feature in the socio-cultural fabric of Lucknow, presenting an unparalleled example of Hindu-Muslim unity in the city.

Cost :	INR 11,000 per person (minimum 02 guests) – per day/per event as per calendar*
Starting Time :	1:30 pm (starts from Lucknow)
Expected Duration :	10-11 hours (minimum)
Remarks :	This tour is date specific and this too may change by a day as per Islamic lunar calendar. Ritualistically guests are required to wear simple black clothes in keeping with the tradition of mourning. Some of the rituals might not be very pleasing to eyes and better avoided by faint-hearted guests and children. Most of the events are crowded and involve a walk due to traffic congestion and security restrictions.

Muharram Event Calendar*

Day	Highlight Event		2024		2025	2025	2027
1st	Shahi Zari ka Juloos		8th July		27th Jun	16th Jun	6th Jun
From 2nd till 5′“day there are no specific public programmes, except for daily congressions. This period is not recommended for inclusion as it may not be as visually exciting.
6th	Aag ka Matam		13th Jul		2nd Jul	21st Jun	12th Jun
7th	Janbe Qasim ka Mehndi ka Jullos		14th Jul		3th Jul	22nd Jun	13th Jun
8th	Alam-e-Fateh-e-Furat		15th Jul		4th Jul	23rd Jun	14th Jun
9th	Alam-e-Yadgar-e-Hussaini		16th Jul		5th Jul	24th Jun	15th Jun
10th	Jullos-e-Ashura		17th Jul		6th Jul	25th Jun	16th Jun
From 11th till 49th day there are no specific public programmes, except/or daily congressions. This period is not recommended/or inclusion as it may not be as visually exciting.
50th		Chehlum		26th Aug	15th Aug	4th Aug	26th Jun
From 51st till 67th day there are no specific public programmes, except /or daily congressions. This period is not recommended/or inclusion as it may not be as visually exciting.
68th		Chup Taziya		13th Sep	1st Sep	3rd Sep	13th Jun