Thousands gathered in Alipura, Karnataka's Chikkaballapur district, to mourn the death of Iran's Supreme leader Ali Khamenei, recalling his 1981 visit to inaugurate a hospital.
Shops were shuttered, black flags lined the streets, and community members took out a procession led by the Anjuman-e-Jafaria Committee.
Local residents recounted the visit as one that 'strengthened the spiritual bond between our people and Iran.'
Alipura has longstanding ties with Iran, with 90% of residents being Shia Muslims and many pursuing religious studies or enrolled in medical programs.
Community leaders announced a three-day observance marked by special prayers and Quran recitations, with senior police officers and additional security deployed to maintain order.
