Question

Explain the festival of Muharram and Urs.

Answer 1

Instructions:
Your answer should have the following points:

• What is Muharram and Urs?
• Why is it celebrated?
• How is the festival celebrated?

Solution:

Muharram:

• Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad’s grandson who breathed his last in the battle of Karbala, Iraq.
  
• Processions called peeri, with decorated Tazias (a colourfully painted bamboo and paper mausoleum) are taken out in which everyone participates.
  
• Peeri is a structure that is put together with bamboo strips in a dome shape. It is covered with glittering clothes. A bamboo pole is secured to the dome to handle the peeri. At the top, a metallic crescent or palm shape is affixed to it. It is draped with flowers and coconuts.

Urs:

• Urs is the anniversary celebrations of Muslim saints who lay buried in various parts of the state.
  
• During the Urs, people visit the dargahs in great numbers, offer flowers and chadars (sheets on the grave) and listen to Qawwalis.
  
• People believe that they will receive the ‘barkat’ or blessings of the pir or saint by coming and praying there.