The last Nizam’s private Ashoorkhana opened

Hyderabad: There are many Ashoorkhanas in Old city. But the Ashoorkhana Khilwat adjacent to Chowmahallah Palace is unique in more ways than one. The seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan used to visit it whenever he wanted to offer prayers in a calm environment. Khilwat means privacy in Urdu and the Ashoorkhana is an embodiment of peace.

Out of bounds for people for most part of the year and open just on fourth Sunday of Muharram and on the 40th day of Ashoora every year, the Ashoorkhana is spread over a large area.

It comprises seven mourning halls where Alams are kept. Large Alam Hall, houses 12 Alams, a replica of Imam Hussain Shrine in Iraq and other artefacts The Ashoorkhana is unique in the sense that there is an entry from the famed Chowmahallah Palace from where one could enter the Ashoorkhana.

It was closed after the restoration of the palace. There is also a separate prayer hall for women besides a library. Dozens of devotees of Shia Muslim community visited the Ashoorkhana Khilwat for special prayers, including mourning sessions on Sunday. The private Ashoorkhana is maintained by Nizam Trust.

Members of Royal family besides Nizam used to visit the Ashoorkhana whenever he needed some privacy for prayers. Men, women and children visited the Ashoorkhana Khilwat and religious leaders led the prayers before the customary sermon. Young girls and boys and women read out Marsia (mourning poems) remembering the war of Karbala.

All India Shia Conference convener Jaffar Imam, who organised the Majlis, said that Nizam Trust allowed them to carry out the prayers and sermons. He said that people in the area and members of the community from other parts of the city visit every year for special prayers.

Tauseef Abbas, who visited the Ashoorkhana to capture the events for a documentary, said that the last Nizam used to visit here from palace to spend some time in private for prayers. Everything in the Ashoorkhana is of the Nizam era and a replica of Imam Hussain Shrine made of gold is also installed by the last Asafjahi ruler, he said.

Chandeliers, inner wall paintings, replicas of shrines belonging to Shia Imams and library hall are the special attractions of the Ashoorkhana. Mohammed Javeed from Delhi said that he comes to this place every year with his family. The premises could do with better maintenance and the only fountain if restored to its past glory could well be a tribute to a man who was once the richest in the world.

By Mohammed Younus