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 10,000 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*

	Highlight Day & Event	2021	2022	2023	2024
1^st	Shahi Zari ka Juloos	10^th Aug	30^th Jul	19^th Jul	8^th Jul
From 2^nd till 5^th 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.
6^th	Aag ka Matam	16^th Aug	4^th Aug	24^thJul	13^thJul
7^th	Janbe Qasim ka Mehndi ka Jullos	17^th Aug	5^th Aug	25^thJul	14^thJul
8^th	Alam-e-Fateh-e-Furat	18^th Aug	6^th Aug	26^thJul	15^thJul
9^th	Alam-e-Yadgar-e-Hussaini	19^thAug	₇th Aug	27^thJul	16^thJul
10^th	Jullos-e-Ashura	20^thAug	₈th Aug	28^thJul	17^thJul
From 11^th till 49^th 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.
50^th	Chehlum	28^th Sep	17^th Aug	6^th Aug	26^th Aug
From 51^st till 67^th 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.
68^th	Chup Taziya	16^th Oct	4^th Sep	24^th Aug	13^th Sep