In memory of the martyrdom of Husain, the second son of the Prophet's daughter Fatima, to serve the cause of truth and justice; is celebrated by Muslims all over Gujarat. The history of event is like this. To avoid internacine strife Hasan, the elder grandson of the Prophet, entered into agreement with Muaviyah, whereby after Muaviyah's death his heirs were not to lay claim as Khalifa. However, Yazid, Muaviyah's son broke this agreement and usurped the Khilafat. Being despotic and given to vices he wanted to subjugate Imam Husain, younger brother of Hasan. He got an opportunity to implement his evil design when Imam Huusain moved to Kufa with 72 members of his family and relatives. Yazid and his men stopped Imam Husain a short distance from river Euphrates and subjected them to worst torture and hardship, denying even water. Imam and his followers went through all the ordeals firmly and patiently but categorically refused to accept Yazid as the Khalifa till the end. This heroic struggle of resistance and martyrdom on the plain of Karbala is commemorated during the month of Muharram.

In most of the big cities and towns of Gujarat, a procession of tazias is taken out. Tazias are a miniature model of the tomb of Husain. The practice was started by Amir Timur who invaded India in 1398 AD. Timur built the first model after he returned to Samarkand from a pilgrimage to Karbala. Tazia is a Persian word, which implies weeping, beating the breast and expressing grief. Tazias also called tabuts, are made of bamboo and tinsel and are of two or more storeys crowned by a dome. The work of tinsel around the wooden framework contains exquisite artistic designs. On the tenth day of Muharram tazias are taken out in a procession accompanied by bands playing plaintive tunes, trucks carrying gymnasts and acrobats and numerous devotees. At various places in the cities on the route of the procession arrangements are made for providing sherbat or cold water to devotees. Sprit of competition also prevails in the younger generation to make best tazia and thus every year one find richer variety of tazias than the last.