What Makes Muharram Observance In Telangana's Adilabad Special

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four holy months of the year during which warfare is forbidden. It precedes the month of Safar. The tenth day of Muharram is known as Ashura, an important day of remembrance in Islam. It is observed with great enthusiasm in the joint Adilabad district in Telangana. A lively atmosphere prevails in the rural areas of the district on this occasion. The beat of drums is heard from the Sawaris.

People along with children come to the Sawari and offer prayers. Meanwhile, in every village, the Sawaris are called by different names and perform ceremonies. In the centre of Tansi Mandal, the villagers worship Kurli-Buddan Sawaris, Rajeshwar Sawaris, Pedda Sawaris, Kommula Sawaris, and in Ponnari, Maulali, Panja, Kommula Sawaris, Bachawali. In Karanji Tea in Bhimpur Mandal, Hassan-Hussain Sawaris and Imam Kashim Panja Savaris in Nipani village offer prayers.

In the Sawaris, they observed by playing Hassai Dula Harati on their saws to the beat of drums. In Talamadugu Mandal Ruiyadi Hassan Devasthanam, which is famous for the Muharram festival, grand arrangements have been made by the temple committee for the devotees coming for the Muharram festival. The worshippers make Kandora for the Sawaris here and offer their offerings to the Malidas to fulfil their prayers.

Besides the centre of Tansi Mandal, Kapparla, Bandal Nagpur, Ponnari and other Sawaris are also famous in this region. The famous Buddan Sawari in the centre of Tansi Mandal and the Mallangi Savaris in Kapparla village have many special features. The locals tell stories about their fame. Even when the girls of Kapparla village get married and go to their in-laws, it is customary to come here for the Muharram festival, no matter where they are.

It can be said that the youth and the elders of the village sing Asai Dula Harati together and perform hand dances and Gundam games to the beat of drums. Along with Bhimpur Mandal Centre, the villages of Pippal Koti, Arli, Nipani, Antargama and Vadur observe Muharram with devotion every year.