Ashura Day, the month of Muharram. Shiites. A time of mourning…  

  Ladakh is widely perceived as a Buddhist region, home to ancient monasteries and the beautiful Himalayas. However, the truth is that a significant proportion of Ladakh’s population today is Muslim. In fact, there are more mosques in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, than functioning Buddhist monasteries.

The events you see took place during the month of Muharram in Ladakh, specifically on the holiest day, Ashura. For the majority here who are Shiite Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who died in the Battle of Karbala in 680. Believers mourn the dead by gathering in a large procession and beating their chests with their fists to rhythmic music. This is a tribute to the dead. Some particularly fanatical followers perform rituals of self-torture, striking themselves with metal whips or sticking needles into their heads. They command special respect from those gathered.

Only men participate in this event. However, entire families come here. The women wait nearby and support the participants. Children are particularly active in this ritual. Boys are easily influenced and always want to earn the approval of their elders. They want to prove themselves as real men.

The event takes place in strong sunlight and lasts for many hours. Doctors and ambulances are always on standby nearby. Towards lunchtime, ambulance sirens can be heard almost continuously. Many people cannot withstand the strain. After each event of this kind, there are fatalities and cases of serious health damage. However, no one keeps statistics and they are not available. Slogans posted around the city say that it is better to die with a purpose than to live without one.  

According to several sources, the tradition of celebrating Ashura, practised only by Shiites, did not arise until relatively recently and is not supported by many Muslims. It does not have ancient roots. Authoritative representatives of Islam also state that there are no instructions in the Qur’an or from the Prophet Muhammad that suggest believers should mourn in this manner. The idea of self-torture is certainly not encouraged either. Nevertheless, this practice exists today.