TEHRAN, Iran: Iranians remember the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (PBUH), with various forms of traditional ceremonies.

The mourning rituals that have started on Sunday, will reach their peak on Ashura, the tenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar.

Ashura, which falls on December 6 this year, marks the day, when the forces of the second Umayyad caliph martyred Imam Hussein (PBUH) and 72 of his companions in Karbala more than 14 centuries ago.

Usually, Iranian mourners congregate at mosques and husseiniyahs for sorrowful, poetic recitations of the tragic event.

People also gather to watch Ta'zieh, or the Persian Passion Play which is a ritual dramatic art that recounts religious events, historical and mythical stories and folk tales through poetry, music, song and motion.

In most Iranian cities mourning ceremonies include food offerings at public venues like mosques or at private residences.

Mourners wear black outfits on Tasua and Ashura (9th and 10th of Muharram) and hold special ceremonies in line with their local traditions in different cities.

In the city of Bijar, for instance, in Iran's western Kordestan Province, women mourners cover their faces on Tasua, walk in silence and light candles in forty different spots as part of the religious ceremonies to honor the memory of Karbala martyrs.