On 31 December Shias will take part in the Athvi or 8 Rabilwal mourning when Mohram officially ends after 2 month 8 days .
In Mumbai there are Athvi processions at Govandi and at Malad where scourging and kama matam is performed one last time in memory of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain.
At Mehmoodabad Sitapur District it is led by the Raja of Mehmoodabad and his family , traditional tazias Amary and scourging on the way ,, but the most important aspect of Mehmoodabad Athvi is Zuljana the stallion representing the steed of Imam Hussain is released and he rushes into the crowds reaches the Roza of Imam Hussain.. and places his head on the shrine.
The most iconic is Lucknow Athvi .. that starts with the Chup Tazia procession from Nakhas , a silent mournful dirge of Ghabrayegi Zainab and past memories of its founder late Bakar Sab a very humble man, who wept , covering his face with a hanky.. stand out .
The Chup tazia with fortified security passes through the streets of Lucknow and is buried at Kazmain with a lot of matam.
While on the way to Kazamain Shrine Shia anjumans come to pay their last respects to Imam Hussain , and here among all the melee you will find Baney Bhai with a huge bag of swords daggers on his humble back urging and reaching out with his soz as the Kama Matam begins , with frenzy never seen before .
I had called Baney Bhai to my in laws house before leaving for Lucknow and handed him my contribution..as this man does everything on his own..and it was with Baney Bhais Anjuman that I had first cut my head during Athhvi..and I am unwell since last 15 days in bed with a serious viral infection but yes I will certainly miss Lucknow Athvi..
The following day after Athvi .. the Shia dress up colorfully mostly red and the day starts with cheers and curses on the killers of Imam Hussain and doubly on the enemies of Ahle Bayt ,
Effigies are burn at Kazmain and every Shia house , there is song dance among the kids , and Shia distribute Gul Gule sweet pancakes ..This day 9 Rabilwal is know by the Shias as Navi or Eid e Zehra.
Mushairas are held people chew pan with red lips and the happiness is in the air in Old Lucknow and at Makbara Gola Ganj.
And I am left with stray memories ,,,
