The term Muharram comes from the haram, which means prohibited or forbidden, and is the first month of the Islamic calendar that starts between June 27, 2025, and July 6 2025 as the tenth Muharram or Ashura, in India. After Ramadan, Muharram is the second-holiest month of Islam. Shia Muslims mourn the tragedy of Imam Hussain’s family in the whole month of Muharram. In the month of Muharram, Shia Muslims mourn the martyrdom (shahadat) of Imam Hussain by avoiding joyous events. They also hold several events to give condolence to Imam Husain and to honor the martyrs, majlis, noha, chest-beating (matam), and also hold charity events in the month of Muharram.

The word Ashura means tenth, which refers to the tenth day of Muharram. Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram and is popular in Shia tradition due to mourning the martyrdom (shahadat) of Imam Hussain’s family and many others. Shia Muslims start mourning from the first night to the tenth night of Muharram known as Ashura. The family of Imam Hussain was deprived of water from the 7^th Muharram and his 72 followers, including Imam Hussain’s family members, were martyred (shaheed) by the soldiers of Yazid at the battle of Karbala.

In the month of Muharram, Shia Muslims wear black clothes and participate in street processions as a way of mourning the death (shaheed) of Imam Husain and their family members. Shia Muslims observe the 10th Muharram in many ways, some observe fast and many participate in religious gatherings on the Day of Ashura or the tenth Muharram.