Muharram observed by people in north Karnataka...

Throughout the State, people mark Muharram, which is the anniversary of the prophet Muhammad's grandsons' deaths during the Karbala war in the seventh century. Most regions in northern karnataka observed the Katal Raat, often known as the night of death and darkness, on tuesday night. Over the course of nine days, the panja, an image of the Prophet's family, the Alabi or Fakir Swami deities, are carried around the village and worshipped. Incense and other materials are offered, sad songs from Karbala are sung and danced to, children are dressed as fakirs, children participate in a procession dressed as the martyrs Hassan and Hussein, and the children walk over hot coals.

Certain villages have different rituals, even if most of them are the same everywhere. On the ninth night, the gods are let go into the river in a few communities. However, in communities such as Kittur, they are housed year-round on a hallowed platform specifically designed for them. They are sometimes positioned outside of a Dargah, which is a makeshift platform constructed for that use. However, in certain communities, they are housed in the Grama Devata, or local deity, temple. The Muharram dances in the districts of Bagalkot and Vijayapura are ornate ceremonies that go on all night. They dress up as fictional characters, such as Acholli-Beecholli. They bring out a decorated Rath or car that has shining torches attached to it in Beelgi and Kerur. In Gokak Falls, men dance through the city while ladies sing melodies.

The celebration of Muharram unites communities. According to Rahamat Tarikere, who has written extensively on Muharram and other syncretic traditions, it is more of a cultural phenomena than a religious one. According to him, the rites are performed in a number of villages devoid of Muslim citizens. One such village without any Muslims, masjids, or dargahs is Bainakwadi, which is close to Chikkodi in the Belagavi district. The Panja is situated in a nook of the village's Muruswami temple. The Mahadev temple's priest, murari Kurubet, conducts pooja for the Panjas.

Hindus lead the Muharram committees in a number of villages. In Kittur, Kareppa Kagi Kuruhinashetty oversees the procession and mass meal. Nagappa Kurgund, Vinod Raval, Premnath Adivetti, Manjunath Asundi, Basavaraj Talwar, and others assist him. The Bade Peera deities are positioned on a platform outside the main circle in the settlement of Killa Torgal, which is close to Ramdurg. Together, Muslims, Hindus, and Jains participate in the rites. Mahantesh Desai, jayaram Jadhav, and Ajit Gawade carry the gods in the parade at Bainakwadi. The cost of communal lunches is borne by the traders who are Hindu and Jain.