Violating High Court orders and brushing off the prevalent threat of Covid-19, thousands of Shia Muslims hit the streets to observe the 10th day of Muharram by flagellating themselves, in honor of Imam Hussain, who was martyred in the battle of Karbala.

The procession takes place every year in the first month of the Islamic calendar on the 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura. Like many other religious occasions this year, this also took place amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the first time in history, the 'Bibi Ka Alam' procession was taken out on a van instead of an a caparisoned elephant leading it. The procession started from the Dabeerpura and passed via Charminar-Gulzar Houz-Purani Havel-Darulshifa before finally ending at Chaderghat.

The procession took place despite the Telangana High court order rejecting permission to a Muharram procession in Hyderabad. The Supreme Cout had also rejected a similar petition last week.