(NRT) -- Ashura, on the 10th day of the month of Muharram, celebrates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, one of the grandsons of the Prophet Mohammad, and is marked by large public commemorations by Shia Muslims.

"We are coming from the province of Basra to visit the holy shrine of Imam Hussein. Thanks to almighty God, the security troops are deployed along the road. It is safe. The security situation is good. Millions of pilgrims flocked to Karbala. We pray to God that peace and security prevail all over the country,” said pilgrim Abdullah Yousif.

Ashura rituals involve self flagellation to express deep sorrow over the death of Hussein, who died in Karbala in 680 AD.

"We come to Karbala to visit the holy shrine of Imam Hussein. The security troops are deployed from Misan to Karbala. The troops are very cooperative with us,” said pilgrim Majid Hussein.

The holy day has often been marred with attacks targeting the pilgrims, and Iraqi security forces have deployed thousands of troops to the holy city to protect worshippers.