Year 2: Ashura in Lucknow

Lucknow, in Uttar Pradesh, is home to one of India's largest and most devout Shia Muslim communities. This year, I visited the city to photograph the Mourning of Muharram and the days leading up to it. Click on images for larger view.

Bara Imambara, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Worshippers leave taziyeh (models symbolising the tomb of Imam Hussein) at Imambara Shah Najdaf. The taziyeh will be carried to the Taal Katore-ki-Karbala during the Mourning of Muharram procession, held on the 10th day of Ashura.

Children light candles beside an alam outside Imambara Shah Najdaf. The alam (meaning "flag" or "sign" in Arabic) is of special significance to Shia Muslims and represents the standards carried into battle by the prophet Mohammed, Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali.

Many Indian Shia look outside of their home nation for spiritual and political leadership. Here, a chai stall displays images of Ayatollah Khamenei and the late Ayatollah Khomeini from Iran, either side of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese Shia movement Hizbollah.

Food is prepared alongside Bara Imambara Road and distributed to worshippers free of charge throughout the 10 days of Ashura.

Devotees carry a large taziyeh to Taal Katore-ki-Karbala on the final day of Ashura.

Ceremonial knives on chains are sold in preparation for the zanjir mattam ritual, performed on the final day of Ashura. This form of self-flagellation is carried out to honour of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

Rosewater is traditionally used to salve the wounds of those performing zanjir mattam.

A man washes blood from his hair after beating his head with razor blades during the procession.

Zanjir mattam is only carried out by males, usually beginning at the age of ten or so, but occasionally much earlier.

Members of the procession carry an ornate alam, made of dates, through the streets to Taal Katore-ki-Karbala.

Although relations between Sunni and Shia Muslims are generally cordial in Lucknow, Ashura is often sees tensions rising between the two groups. Accordingly, a large police presence is deployed.

Worshippers gather outside the Taal Katore-ki-Karbala, the final destination of the procession.

Men and women mourn the death of Imam Hussein at an alam inside Taal Katore-ki-Karbala.

In a phenomenon unique to India, many Hindus also attend the Muharram procession.

A devotee grasps an alam and weeps for Imam Hussein inside Taal Katore-ki-Karbala.

The final day of Ashura concludes with a ceremony and sermons delivered in complete darkness inside the Bara Imambara.