Centuries-Old Bibi Ka Alam Muharram Tradition Draws Thousands in Hyderabad

Every year during Muharram, thousands of devotees gather at Alaw e Bibi in Dabeerpura, Hyderabad, to witness the revered Bibi Ka Alam ceremony, a tradition that has been observed for nearly two centuries. The event honors Bibi Fatima (peace be upon her) with a sacred standard containing a precious relic, drawing people across religious and political backgrounds for prayers and offerings, Telangana Today reported.

Hyderabad’s historic Alaw e Bibi at Dabeerpura becomes a focal point each Muharram as thousands dressed in black assemble to pay homage to the Bibi Ka Alam, a sacred standard installed annually on the first day of Muharram at the Ashoorkhana. This tradition dates back to the Qutb Shahi period when Muhammad Qutb Shah’s wife first installed an alam in memory of Bibi Fatima at Golconda. During the Asaf Jahi era, the alam was relocated to the specially constructed Alaw e Bibi in Dabeerpura, built in 1784 as indicated by a plaque on its main door.

The alam is housed in a secure room designed like a sarcophagus. It contains a piece of the wooden plank on which Bibi Fatima was given her final ablution before burial. According to Syed Hamed Hussain Jaffery of the Telangana Shia Youth Conference, the relic is believed to have been brought from Karbala, Iraq, to Golconda during the reign of King Abdullah Qutub Shah.

Adorned with six diamonds and other jewels donated by Mir Osman Ali Khan, builder of Azakhana-e-Madar-e-Deccan, the jewelry is kept in six black pouches tied to the alam. On the 10th day of Muharram, known as Yaum-e-Ashura, the alam is carried on a caparisoned elephant in a solemn procession, continuing a rich cultural and religious heritage cherished by the community.