In celebration of Muharram, Chandbabu Rahi, a resident of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City-11, has erected a striking 65-foot tall Tazia. This year, Rahi imported the Tazia from Alinagar, India, at a cost of approximately NPR 100,000. The transportation and installation costs to bring it to Nepalgunj added another NPR 60,000.
For the past seven years, under the leadership of Baccha Rahi, another tall Tazia has been placed at Ganeshpur Chowk in Nepalgunj. This year, the Tazia stands between 60 to 70 feet tall. “This has become our tradition. Seven to eight of us contribute money, and almost everyone in the neighborhood helps,” Rahi stated. “Once the tall Tazia is set up, it brings peace and happiness to our hearts.”
Like Rahi, other Muslim community members in Banke have also set up Tazias in their homes according to their means. Over the past few years, Chandbabu Rahi has been competing to install the tallest Tazia in Banke, using his funds rather than donations.
It is estimated that Tazias worth over NPR 10 million have been set up in Banke alone. The Muslim community collectively immerses the Tazias in Karbala near their homes. In Nepalgunj, people of different faiths, including Hindus, also set up Tazias in front of their homes and offer prayers. The Muharram festival concludes on the final day with the carrying and immersion of the Tazias at the local Karbala.
Although traditionally Tazias are set up based on individual financial capabilities, an unhealthy competition to erect the tallest Tazia has been observed in recent years, according to Maulana Abdul Jabbar Manjari. He mentioned that there is no need to install a large Tazia since all Tazias, big or small, are eventually immersed.
Muharram has evolved into a symbol of religious harmony as people from various communities, including Hindus, celebrate it. It is believed that worshipping the Tazia, established at home as a vow, brings familial happiness, prosperity, and fulfillment of desires.
Muslims commemorate Muharram with various activities over ten days in memory of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandsons, Hazrat Imam Hussain and Hazrat Imam Hasan. Mohammad Haroon Halwai, General Secretary of the Muharram and Karbala Protection Committee in Nepalgunj, noted that different religious communities in Banke come together to celebrate Muharram as a festival of harmony and social unity. Since everyone sets up Tazias, symbolizing the tombs of Imam Hasan and Hussain, the festival is seen as one of solidarity and unity.
Last night, the Tazias set up in homes will be immersed today in a procession, informed General Secretary Halwai. In memory of Hazrat Hussain and Hasan’s martyrdom, the festival is celebrated for the first ten days of the Muharram month in the Arabic calendar, with Tazias made of paper and wood.
