Muharram to Visit Iran

Muharram to Visit Iran

Muharram – a Fascinating Time to Visit Iran

One of the best times to visit Iran is undoubtedly Muharram, as you might have heard of it or seen its video clips, which are shared all over social media. You might first get surprised and upset by seeing them, as there are some people mourning, yelling, shouting, crying, and even beating themselves or acting weird all over the videos. But that’s more than it. Muharram reminds Muslims of one of the most important wars and deaths that have happened in their history. To respect that event, Muslims hold some great and magnificent ceremonies every year in the month of Muharram.

That’s a great time that we are recommending you to visit Iran. While, as you might get surprised seeing some of the scenes when the first encounter them, you’d better gain some information before taking any actions into consideration. Today, we are here to tell you more about anything that is happening in Iran in this golden time. As the ceremony is not held in any other parts of the world, so you’d better not miss the chance and join in visiting it in Iran. Now let us explain it all more to you.

Muharram; the Best Time to Visit Iran

It’s been more than a thousand years since the piteous martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) and his loyal companions. While it was a very long time ago, not only the deepness of the event is not lessened, but also it is increasing year by year. As time goes by, the Muharram mourning ceremony is held in a more glorious and greater way in different parts of the country. In addition, the mourning traditions are different based on the culture, manner, and customs of every region and province of Iran.

In other words, though Muharram mourning and ceremony is a common thing in all parts of Iran, every city or region has its own specific ceremony to hold for mourning in this month. The ceremonies, by the way, are spectacular. You can’t find alike in any other part of the world, and the fascinating one is being conducted in Iran. Therefore, by traveling to the country in this month, you have both the best time to visit Iran, as well as the best time to experience Muharram as one of the rarest events you can have in your life. Keep reading, as we are going to introduce all of the wonderful ceremonies that you can enjoy in Muharram in Iran!

Muharram to Visit Iran

The Tradition of Putting the Bowl

One of the old traditions and customs of Iranians in Muharram is the ceremony of ‘Putting the Bowl’ or ‘Carrying the Bowl’ (Tasht Gozaari / Tasht Gardaani). The ritual, which is one of the oldest rituals of the Muharram mourning ceremony in provinces in which people speak Azeri like Ardebil, is a reminder of the beautiful behavior of Imam Hussain (as). The manner was that he poured the water of musk or waterskin into the bowls and watered all Al-Hurr ibn Yazid’s corps and horses in front of them.

In fact, the real significance of water and its importance in the event of Karbala is taken into consideration. In this mourning ceremony, which is a hundred years old and has been held a long time ago, certain prayer is said after the bowls have been placed on special platforms among the existing people mourning. The majority of attendees use the water in the bowls as a blessing.

The Tradition of Carrying the Palm

The ritual of ‘Carrying the Palm’ (Nakhl Gardaani) is the glorious ceremony of mourning in desert cities of Iran, especially Yazd. If you choose this time to visit Iran, you will face lots of wonderful scenes, and this ritual is one of them. In this ceremony, the palm, which is not a tree, and we mean a giant wooden structure by that, is placed on the shoulder of Hussain’s mourners. You may wonder what exactly it does; well, it is a reminder of the burial of the pure body of Imam Hussain (as). Carrying the Palm ritual is held on Ashura day with the cooperation and collaboration of the people of the city and in any stages, including financial affairs, providing wood for the palm, and standing and carrying it.

The usual way of holding the ceremony is that the palm is being moved like a ship in the first ten days of Muharram or the last ten days of Safar month. The palm is then carried over and turned three times around the square in which the ceremony is being held. Plus, along with that, there is recitation and beating chest ceremonies conducted as well, respectively, under the titles of ‘Roze Khaani’ and ‘Sineh Zani.’ Now you know why Muharram is the best time to visit Iran! It is also worth mentioning that Palms that are used in this ceremony always have tons of weights, and it is lots of forces needed in order to move them. For example, some of them need the force of 10 bodies solely!

The Tradition of Rubbing Mud

The ‘Rubbing Mud’ tradition (Gel Maali) is one of the rituals of mourning, which is common in the Lorestan province. The way this tradition is being held is that first, a bag of dust that has been cleared and filtered before is mixed in a pond full of water and rosewater. It is mixed in a way that gets the form of mud. Then people who have vowed or ‘Nazr’ to do the ritual enter ponds and expose all of their heads, faces, and bodies to mud. It is called ‘Gel Maali’ or rubbing the mud all over your body.

After that, they dry themselves by standing near fire flames and continue mourning until the noon of Ashura. It is another reason why Muharram is the best time to visit Iran for you. At first, you might get surprised to see such scenes, while it is both fun and interesting to see them in person and to be present in such ceremonies.

The Tradition of Shaam-e-Gharibaan

‘Shaam-e-Gharibaan’ or literally ‘the Night of Strangers’ is another important ceremony of Shias, which takes place in the sunset of Ashura day. The Theme of this ceremony is the act of putting the tents of Ahl al-Bayt on fire and the captivity of them by the Yazid corps. In this ceremony, mourners mourn by igniting candles. The event makes such a spectacular scene to watch, and you can really enjoy attending and watching it.

If you be in Mashhad at that time, you can join the ceremony in the shrine of Imam Reza (as), which is one of the most glorious ceremonies all over Iran. In this shrine, all servants stand with a candle in their hands around one of the biggest scenes, and one recites Noha – a religious and mournful song. Ordinary people also get along with them and accompany them by holding candles. In addition to that, a big tray is put in the center of the scene, which is filled with sand, and lighted candles are put in it. You can also ignite a candle and attend the ceremony if you can make it to reach this time to visit Iran.

Muharram to Visit Iran

The Tradition of Vow

The ritual of ‘Vow’ (Nazri) is another important and valuable tradition that is seen and done in Muharram. In such a month, you can smell food and drink everywhere you go. In addition to that, people who are providing such foods and drinks offer them to you and invite you to have a bite. People think eating and drinking those things is a blessing for them, so you can confidently try them once. They are at the same time both a blessing and very delicious. You know, Shias believe that Imam Hussain (as) is the real host of these ceremonies, so they vow food and drink for poor people under the name of their martyr Imam. Everyone can have a share in vows, and if you would like, you can vow money in this way.

Final Thoughts

Muharram is undoubtedly the best time to visit Iran as a tourist or foreigner. If you have never experienced a ceremony like Muharram, well, now you can join and try it. The ceremony is a reminder of one of the most significant events of the Shias’ history. They respect what has happened to their martyr Imam, Imam Hussain (as), with their ceremonies. In the article above, we have explained some of the ceremonies and rituals that are held in Muharram. No matter which part of the country or which city you are heading into, you can experience Muharram in every part of Iran. Also, there are no constraints regarding the entrance of foreigners, like the citizens of the US, Canada, Italia, or any other parts of the world. Hence, you can easily travel to Iran in Muharram and experience one of the best times in the country. You will be both surprised with the events you are going to experience during this time and enjoy them as well!

Muharram to Visit Iran

Muharram to Visit Iran

Muharram – a Fascinating Time to Visit Iran

One of the best times to visit Iran is undoubtedly Muharram, as you might have heard of it or seen its video clips, which are shared all over social media. You might first get surprised and upset by seeing them, as there are some people mourning, yelling, shouting, crying, and even beating themselves or acting weird all over the videos. But that’s more than it. Muharram reminds Muslims of one of the most important wars and deaths that have happened in their history. To respect that event, Muslims hold some great and magnificent ceremonies every year in the month of Muharram.

That’s a great time that we are recommending you to visit Iran. While, as you might get surprised seeing some of the scenes when the first encounter them, you’d better gain some information before taking any actions into consideration. Today, we are here to tell you more about anything that is happening in Iran in this golden time. As the ceremony is not held in any other parts of the world, so you’d better not miss the chance and join in visiting it in Iran. Now let us explain it all more to you.

Muharram; the Best Time to Visit Iran

It’s been more than a thousand years since the piteous martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) and his loyal companions. While it was a very long time ago, not only the deepness of the event is not lessened, but also it is increasing year by year. As time goes by, the Muharram mourning ceremony is held in a more glorious and greater way in different parts of the country. In addition, the mourning traditions are different based on the culture, manner, and customs of every region and province of Iran.

In other words, though Muharram mourning and ceremony is a common thing in all parts of Iran, every city or region has its own specific ceremony to hold for mourning in this month. The ceremonies, by the way, are spectacular. You can’t find alike in any other part of the world, and the fascinating one is being conducted in Iran. Therefore, by traveling to the country in this month, you have both the best time to visit Iran, as well as the best time to experience Muharram as one of the rarest events you can have in your life. Keep reading, as we are going to introduce all of the wonderful ceremonies that you can enjoy in Muharram in Iran!

Muharram to Visit Iran

The Tradition of Putting the Bowl

One of the old traditions and customs of Iranians in Muharram is the ceremony of ‘Putting the Bowl’ or ‘Carrying the Bowl’ (Tasht Gozaari / Tasht Gardaani). The ritual, which is one of the oldest rituals of the Muharram mourning ceremony in provinces in which people speak Azeri like Ardebil, is a reminder of the beautiful behavior of Imam Hussain (as). The manner was that he poured the water of musk or waterskin into the bowls and watered all Al-Hurr ibn Yazid’s corps and horses in front of them.

In fact, the real significance of water and its importance in the event of Karbala is taken into consideration. In this mourning ceremony, which is a hundred years old and has been held a long time ago, certain prayer is said after the bowls have been placed on special platforms among the existing people mourning. The majority of attendees use the water in the bowls as a blessing.

The Tradition of Carrying the Palm

The ritual of ‘Carrying the Palm’ (Nakhl Gardaani) is the glorious ceremony of mourning in desert cities of Iran, especially Yazd. If you choose this time to visit Iran, you will face lots of wonderful scenes, and this ritual is one of them. In this ceremony, the palm, which is not a tree, and we mean a giant wooden structure by that, is placed on the shoulder of Hussain’s mourners. You may wonder what exactly it does; well, it is a reminder of the burial of the pure body of Imam Hussain (as). Carrying the Palm ritual is held on Ashura day with the cooperation and collaboration of the people of the city and in any stages, including financial affairs, providing wood for the palm, and standing and carrying it.

The usual way of holding the ceremony is that the palm is being moved like a ship in the first ten days of Muharram or the last ten days of Safar month. The palm is then carried over and turned three times around the square in which the ceremony is being held. Plus, along with that, there is recitation and beating chest ceremonies conducted as well, respectively, under the titles of ‘Roze Khaani’ and ‘Sineh Zani.’ Now you know why Muharram is the best time to visit Iran! It is also worth mentioning that Palms that are used in this ceremony always have tons of weights, and it is lots of forces needed in order to move them. For example, some of them need the force of 10 bodies solely!

The Tradition of Rubbing Mud

The ‘Rubbing Mud’ tradition (Gel Maali) is one of the rituals of mourning, which is common in the Lorestan province. The way this tradition is being held is that first, a bag of dust that has been cleared and filtered before is mixed in a pond full of water and rosewater. It is mixed in a way that gets the form of mud. Then people who have vowed or ‘Nazr’ to do the ritual enter ponds and expose all of their heads, faces, and bodies to mud. It is called ‘Gel Maali’ or rubbing the mud all over your body.

After that, they dry themselves by standing near fire flames and continue mourning until the noon of Ashura. It is another reason why Muharram is the best time to visit Iran for you. At first, you might get surprised to see such scenes, while it is both fun and interesting to see them in person and to be present in such ceremonies.

The Tradition of Shaam-e-Gharibaan

‘Shaam-e-Gharibaan’ or literally ‘the Night of Strangers’ is another important ceremony of Shias, which takes place in the sunset of Ashura day. The Theme of this ceremony is the act of putting the tents of Ahl al-Bayt on fire and the captivity of them by the Yazid corps. In this ceremony, mourners mourn by igniting candles. The event makes such a spectacular scene to watch, and you can really enjoy attending and watching it.

If you be in Mashhad at that time, you can join the ceremony in the shrine of Imam Reza (as), which is one of the most glorious ceremonies all over Iran. In this shrine, all servants stand with a candle in their hands around one of the biggest scenes, and one recites Noha – a religious and mournful song. Ordinary people also get along with them and accompany them by holding candles. In addition to that, a big tray is put in the center of the scene, which is filled with sand, and lighted candles are put in it. You can also ignite a candle and attend the ceremony if you can make it to reach this time to visit Iran.

Muharram to Visit Iran

The Tradition of Vow

The ritual of ‘Vow’ (Nazri) is another important and valuable tradition that is seen and done in Muharram. In such a month, you can smell food and drink everywhere you go. In addition to that, people who are providing such foods and drinks offer them to you and invite you to have a bite. People think eating and drinking those things is a blessing for them, so you can confidently try them once. They are at the same time both a blessing and very delicious. You know, Shias believe that Imam Hussain (as) is the real host of these ceremonies, so they vow food and drink for poor people under the name of their martyr Imam. Everyone can have a share in vows, and if you would like, you can vow money in this way.

Final Thoughts

Muharram is undoubtedly the best time to visit Iran as a tourist or foreigner. If you have never experienced a ceremony like Muharram, well, now you can join and try it. The ceremony is a reminder of one of the most significant events of the Shias’ history. They respect what has happened to their martyr Imam, Imam Hussain (as), with their ceremonies. In the article above, we have explained some of the ceremonies and rituals that are held in Muharram. No matter which part of the country or which city you are heading into, you can experience Muharram in every part of Iran. Also, there are no constraints regarding the entrance of foreigners, like the citizens of the US, Canada, Italia, or any other parts of the world. Hence, you can easily travel to Iran in Muharram and experience one of the best times in the country. You will be both surprised with the events you are going to experience during this time and enjoy them as well!

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