Nakhl Gardany is a special ritual held in Day of Ashura as a symbolic funeral of Imam Hussein. Nahkl Gardany (carrying a palm) has nothing to do with a palm. In the past, some of them has been made of palm leaves and that could be the reason for it. It is commonly made of woods in a special huge shape. A rectangular cube with a gable roof and in front of it is a symbol of a cypress tree. Depending on its size it may have been made of 12 wooden pillars. It is the symbol of the Imam Hussein ‘s coffin.
Each quarter and special mosque has this Nakhl and at certain day it is decorated and carried around the city. Hussayniyye (religious institution) of Sarpareh is the oldest in Kashan and this ritual was held there for 700 years.
The ritual is held in several days and start by dusting, cleaning, covering it by black and green fabrics and fibers like Termeh and aromatize it by famous Kashan’s Golab (rose water).
At the day of Ashura the Nakhl of Sarpareh is lifted and carried by several powerful young man. People who can not help in carrying it clean their way or sacrificing. a man who is called Baba (the father) of the Nakhl sits on the wooden scaffolding in front of the Nakhl and gives directions.
First Nakhl of Sarpare is carried around and entered the bazaar and then the other Nakhls enter.
Each year you can see this ceremony on Ashura day.
