Ashura

Mumbai, India

Some images are very strong and may be shocking.

Every year the Muslim community celebrates the day of Ashura, a religious event that falls on the tenth day of the month holy muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. The event is celebrated in different parts of the world, and for different reasons, according to the hadìth, stories of the life of the prophet Muhammad, handed down orally by his companions.
In the Shiite world, Ashura is considered the biggest event of the year. The day commemorates the death of the Shiite Imam Hussein, Mohammed's grandson, who was killed in battle by the army of the Sunni caliph of the time, in the Iraqi city of Kerbala, about 1,300 years ago. In memory of the killing of Hussein and of the torture inflicted on his family members after his death, Shiite Muslims self-flagging by clapping their hands or chest, but some of them do so even through the use of blades or chains .
Self-flagellation is a traditional and non-mandatory practice. Only men are self-flagellated with chains. 

Shortly before the start of the procession, the faithful decorate the white horse that used Hussein in battle
During the processions along the road in a district of Mumbay, the faithful carry on their shoulders the coffin with the body of Hussein pierced by arrows that killed him in battle
Inside the Mosque, thousands of faithful go around in a circle, praising Hussein
The heat is suffocating, the noise is deafening, and the atmosphere is very intense and engaging
In the courtyard of the Mosque. Even the young boys are self-flagellated, completely involved in the strong atmosphere
Preparation of the blades that will then be used for self-flagellation
Very intense moments, waiting for the procession to begin
The faces show a great emotion and tension, waiting for the start of the procession
In thousands, the Imam Hussein is praised in a loud voice
An intense gaze, focused and full of feeling
The street is completely blocked by the faithful who flock to participate as close as possible to the event
Self-flagellation is the culminating moment to commemorate the death of Hussein
A woman who takes the knife from a man's hand. The involvement is very high and the risk is that men do not stop self-flagging, up to endanger their own life.
In the middle of the street, the faithful incite the men who are self-flagellated, in a blaze of screams and tears of despair
An affectionate embrace of the white horse, great companion in the battle of Hussein
Convinced to stop thanks to the screams and crying of women, men embrace completely exhausted and insaguinated
Completely indifferent to the pain, and proud to show the wounds he has done in honor of Hussein