Elephant From Kerala To Take Part in Muharram Procession
A rehearsal has been scheduled with the elephant along the procession route on 4th or 6th Muharram depending on police permission.
HYDERABAD: Just as the Muharram month began with the sighting of the Moon on Tuesday, uncertainty cleared over the availability of an elephant for the traditional Bibi ka Alam procession. Following a special request from the state government and HEH the Nizam Awqaf committee, the elephant will be arriving from Kozhikode to carry the Alam on the 10th day.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, minister Mohammed Azharuddin said that the elephant was secured following eleventh-hour efforts. “Within the next three days, the elephant will arrive in the city, as the forest department has given permissions,” Azharuddin said. “By next year we shall have our own elephant for the Bibi Ka Alam procession and other important historic festivities in the city,” he said.
A rehearsal has been scheduled with the elephant along the procession route on 4th or 6th Muharram depending on police permission.
“A veterinary doctor will first check the elephant for fitness upon its arrival,” informed HEH The Nizam Awqaf committee’s representative advocate Syed Ali Jaffry.
Once the police clear the formalities, the elephant will be shifted to Purani Haveli on the day of Youm-e-Ashura, the 10th Muharram (June 26). The committee will formally hand over the keys to the mujawar (custodian) of the Bibi ka Alawa, in presence of the local police and revenue officials. “Some of the key locations from the historic route which were missed during the previous year’s procession will hopefully be included this time. We are trying our best to conclude it on time,” Jaffry said.
On the day of Youm-e-Ashura, Azharuddin is likely to offer the dhatti (a sacred offering of the fine cloth or a silk present to the Bibi Ka Alam) besides other public representatives and higher officials.
Jaffry denied the claims that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) had offered any ‘mechanical elephant’ to the Waqf Board for the procession. “Waqf Board never received any letter regarding such a move by PETA. This could be just a PR stunt,” he added.