Hindu women walk on fire in memory of Karbala martyrs in Chehallum ritual: Arbaeen in India

It is not just Muharram--the 10th of Islamic month of Muharram, which is observed to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain and his kin.

But, after 40 days of Yaum-e-Ashura, Chehallum [Arba'een] is also observed in India, widely.

The practices vary from region to region, even from one district to another in a particular state.

On the left is the photograph of a woman walking on fire--embers [burning coal].

This is to express devotion towards the martyrs who were killed in Karbala, which is situated in Iraq.

This particular photo is from Damoh, part of Bundelkhand region in Madhya Pradesh [MP].

Carrying the kid, she walks on fire. Hundreds other follow this practice--from Damoh to Datia.

This ceremonies take place on Chehallum and continue for 1-10 days. In Jaora, the ceremonies continue for many days.

In Jaora where Chehallum ceremonies continue for days and lakhs come from all over the country, and even abroad, thousands walk on fire, not just the select few.

The other photograph is also from Damoh. A boy walks on embers.

Irrespective of their sects, Muslims and Hindus perform these rituals. For Hindus, it is age-old practice.

They feel their kids would get blessings from the Imam, and hence bring kids along, during these rituals.

For more about Chehallum, do read this post. Lakhs of Muslims reach Husain Tekri in Jaora, to observe Chehallum. CLICK