Basin-placing (ritual)

Basin-placing (ritual)

Ritual information
Time	From Dhu l-Hijja 27 until the end of Dhu l-Hijja
Place	Mosques • Husayniyyas
Geographical Extent	Ardabil • Azerbaijan province • Zanjan
Origin	Safavid
Symbolic Objects	Basin
Symbolic Meaning	A symbol of sacrifice of Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions when Imam (a) ordered to give water to the army of the enemy on Dhu l-Hijja 27
Important Rites	Nawha • Rawda • Ta'ziya

Tashtgudhārī (Persian: تشت‌گذاری) or the ritual of basin-placing is among the oldest rituals of mourning for Imam al-Husayn (a) in Iran and especially in Azerbaijan province. Before the beginning of Muharram, mourners for Imam al-Husayn (a) bring basins of water in the mosques and husayniyyas as a symbol of the water of Euphrates and the beginning of the tragedy of Imam al-Husayn (a) and prepare for the mourning of Imam al-Husayn (a). Some consider this ritual adopted from the behavior of the army of Imam al-Husayn (a) encountering the army of al-Hurr b. Yazid al-Riyahi on Dhu l-Hijja 27 when Imam (a) ordered his companions to pour the water of water bowls into basins and give them to the army of al-Hurr and their horses.

Its History

The ritual of basin-placing dates back to the time of Safavids, and apparently, it was performed in Ardabil for the first time. However, in recent years, this ritual is being performed in most cities of Azerbaijan province and Zanjan. Organizers of this ritual consider it a symbol of sacrifice of Imam al-Husayn (a) and al-'Abbas (a) when Imam (a) ordered to give water to the army of the enemy on Dhu l-Hijja 27. They also regard it as a symbol of the sacrifice of al-'Abbas (a) upon bringing water for thirsty women and children of the family of Imam al-Husayn (a).

Manner of Performance

In this ceremony, special basins are respectfully brought to mosques and Husayniyyas by the chiefs and elder ones and are placed in certain places. Then, they recite the supplication of basin-placing, and they fill the basins with water. In this ceremony, laments related to the mourning for Imam al-Husayn (a) are recited, and the morning for Imam al-Husayn (a) begins. People put their hands in water and consider it a kind of allegiance with Imam al-Husayn (a). Then, they take some of the water as a blessing. This ritual begins from Dhu l-Hijja 27 and continues until the end of Dhu l-Hijja. Since previous centuries, there have been special places in the mosques of Ardabil made for placing the basins.