Subsequent to the Aashura observed by the Dawoodi Bohra community, the other Muslims of Udaipur observed the occasion by taking out the traditional Taaziya procession in the cities walled areas today evening.

In all, there were 56 Taaziyas, big and small, from areas across the city and upcountry, which participated in the procession today evening. The biggest Taaziya was, as usual from Paltan Masjid, being approximately 32 feet in height. The procession also consisted of 12 Chhadis and 27 Alams.

The Taaziyas from various locations started at 9:00 am and proceeded to Teej Ka Chowk where the congregation got together by around 11:00 am.

Subsequent to this the procession started at approximately 01:00 pm. From here the procession took the following route:

Teej Ka Chowk – Bada Bazaar – Ghantaghar – Jagadish Chowk – Pichola

For the first time, this year’s procession was marked by an Iftaar gathering at Ghantaghar, where after the Iftaar the procession proceeded further.

The Taaziyas and Chhadis were submerged at the Pichola paal, which is observed as the Karbala for this purpose.

Lets look back on history…

The history of the Taaziya procession in Udaipur dates back to the year 1559, when the Maharana of Udaipur was the guardian and sponsor of the Taaziya procession. The Bheel contingent of the Maharanas army was assigned the task of ensuring that the Taajiz procession took place under peaceful environment. Even today, though the Maharana is no longer involved as the guardian of the Taaziya, sill the event is seen more from a social angle in the city, rather than from a strictly religious angle. The Taaziya procession is observed by members of all religions in the city and some even take part in the procession right from the commencement till the end of the procession.

As told to UT by Pandit (Dr.) Raj Shankar Vyas, whose family has been a part of the citys walled area since generations and have observed the procession year on year, “the entire Jagadish Temple was booked by the Maharana during the early years, for the Muslim women. No one but Muslim women were allowed to be in the Temple, from the stairs of which they could observe the procession”.

As tradition goes, the Maharanas Army was deployed from the Hathipole gate. This contingent was called the Paltan fauj and consisted mainly of Muslims. This was the basis of the current name of the Masjid at Chetak – Paltan Masjid.

Iqbal Sagar, a senior member, told UT, “in the earlier days, members from many non-muslim communities took part in the procession and some even had Sabeels to give water to the participants and onlookers. This had reduced now, and might disappear in the future”.

The Royal Family, though not actively involved, still sends their offerings to the Paltan Masjid every year.