Hallaur - Azadari and Other Religious Observances

Azadari and Other Religious Observances

Azadari in Hallaur is known all over India, its done with great fervor. The practice of not cooking food at home on the day of Ashura is still prevalent in Hallaur. People abstain from cooking at home only if someone dies within their family, and that day they are provided with meal by their neighbours or near relatives. This is done ever year on the day of Ashura, people cook meals at their homes for their neighbours and then distribute within each other. Taziya procession on the day of Ashura is carried out with much devotion in Hallaur. Hallaur has an history of Azadari which is done in great zeal.

Taziya processions apart from day of Ashura are also carried out by Shiites on the following days:

• Day of Arbaeen also known as Chehlum in Hallaur falls 40 days after the day of Ashura.
• 25th of Moharram in commemoration of fourth Shiite Imam Ali ibnil Husain Zayn al-Abidin.
• 9th of Zil Hijjah in commemoration of martyrdom of Muslim ibn Aqeel cousin of Imam Husain ibn Ali who was captured and martyred in Kufa on this day.
• 28th of Safar in commemoration of Prophet Mohammad's Death and Martyrdom of second Shiite Imam Hasan ibn Ali on same day.
• Chup Tazia on 8th of Rabi'-ul-Awwal in commemoration of martyrdom of eleventh Shiite Imam Hasan al Askari
• 28th of Rajab in memory of Imam Husain ibn Ali's last day in Medina before he headed towards Karbala.

Tatbeer or Qama-Zani, Zanjeer Zani and Matam on Fire are also done in Hallaur. Most of the Hallauris are in Taqlid of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani who has sanctioned Zanjeer Zani and Tatbeer. Zainab bint Ali Day organised by Abbas brothers, Abbas Day organised by Alam brothers and Mahfile Noor organised by Farogh Matam are held every year with much devotion. Around 4 decades earlier late Nafis Ahmad Rizvi Advocate started programme named Sham-e-Ghariban and this programme became highly acclaimed .Now this programme is carried out by Zakir-e-Ahlebayte Maulana Khushtar Abbas Rizvi.

Imambargahs in Hallaur are the places which contribute to the cause of mourning of Imam Husain ibn Ali and these are centres of religious gatherings in Moharram. A big new Imambargah is under construction in the vicinity of Hallaur bazaar. Besides Jama Masjid there are five Mosques of Shia community and one of Sunni community.

List of Imambargahs in Hallaur:

• Imambargah Waqf Shah Alamgir II also known as Bada Imambargah constructed on the land donated by Shah Alamgir II
• Babul Baba ka Imambargah
• Seth Baba ka Imambargah
• Dargah Bab ul Hawaej Abbas ibn Ali ( Pachchon Imambargah)
• Nirmalain Bua Imambargah
• Shafayat Sahab Imambargah
• Imambargah of Karbala
• Faham Sahab Imambargah
• Jannat al Baqi Imambargah in memory of demolished shrines in Jannat al Baqi, Saudi Arabia.

Shiva temple of Hallaur is an holy place of worship for Hindus. A fair on the occasion of Maha Shivratri is held every year with huge gathering of Hindus coming from far off to attend the fair. Hallaur also has a Hindu temple named as Kali Mandir. It is also interesting that land for Shivalaya, Seeta Garahiya and Kali Mandir was donated by Hallauri Landlord Syed Mohammad Haider son of late Shabbir Hasan with the consent of his grandfather Late Hashmat Ali Numberdar.