Bhubaneswar, Oct. 1: The state observed Muharram today with religious fervour as members of the Muslim community took out processions amid tight security.

Tazias were taken out in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Bhadrak, Balasore and Sambalpur to mark the occasion.

Muharram remembers the martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the hands of Yazid, the ruler of Iraq, in the holy battle of Karbala.

Devout Muslims mourn Hussain's martyrdom by taking out tazias. While Muslims of the Shia sect spent the day in mourning, the Sunnis observed fast on the day.

Muharram was also observed peacefully in the state capital. The tazia procession went off peacefully with no untoward incident reported from the city.

'The tazia is buried or immersed in water once the procession ends. Members of the community who took part in the procession presented a re-enactment of the battle of Karbala. Besides, the devotees also performed martial arts during the procession,' said theologist Sheikh Ali.

Across the state, police had formed special teams with officials of the peace committee and members of the Muslim community to ensure that the occasion was observed peacefully and without any hassle in the early hours of Wednesday. Rain, however, slightly hindered Muharram festivities in Cuttack.

Baropathar resident Mustaq Khan said: 'We mourn Hussain's martyrdom by offering prayers at home.'

Every year, a torch rally that starts past midnight from Qadam Rasool passes through the main thoroughfares of the city. Devotees also walk on hot cinders at Police line, Pension Lane, Telenga Bazar, Mastan Bazar and a few other places.

'But last night's heavy rain washed out both activities. The rally could be taken out. Even the ritual to walk on hot embers also could not be held in Cuttack,' said Ramjan Khan, president of managing committee of Qadam-e-Rasool.

In Bhadrak, sensing the possibility of communal tension the district administration had imposed restrictions on the Muharram procession. The administrative measure was taken to avoid the procession clashing with the ritual of immersion of goddess Durga's idols. Around 17 platoons of police personnel had been deployed across the town to maintain law and order. Four DSPs, two additional ACPs and 11 inspectors, overlooked the security paraphernalia.