LUCKNOW, June 27 -- The Shahi Zarih procession, which marks the beginning of Muharram, the first month of Islamic calendar, and azadari (mourning), was taken out from Asafi (Bada) Imambara to Chhota Imambara on Friday.

Mourners clad in black clothes took part in the procession as they performed 'seenazani' (chest beating) and listened to groups reciting 'soz', 'salaam', and 'noha' (lamentations depicting the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his 71 companions) along the route.

The procession was started by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah in 1837 to commemorate the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussain and his companions in Karbala in 680 AD.

The procession was led by members of the royal family followed by shehnai players, a...