WARNING: Graphic images

Shiite Muslims across the globe are commemorating holy day of Ashura

It marks the death of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad in 680

Some Shiite worshippers commemorate this with self-flagellation

Photographs from India and Pakistan shows children taking part

Millions of Shiite Muslims across the globe are commemorating one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar: Ashura, which mourns the death of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

In some parts of the world these celebrations come in the shape of self-flagellation using knives and swords or walking on hot coals - and even young children are forced to take part.

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These images from India and Pakistan show boys of primary school age running across burning embers, and young men covered in blood from whipping themselves with knives on chains.

Bloody devoted: A Kashmiri Shiite Muslim man flagellates himself during a religious procession held on the seventh day of Ashura in Srinagar, India

Historical moment: Ashura commemorates the slaying of the Prophet Muhammed's grandson in southern Iraq in the seventh century

A young boy in Lahore, Pakistan is seen being held over the hot coals by his father, trying his hardest to lift his feet so he does not have to suffer burns.

Photographs from Srinagar, in India's Kashmir province sees young men swinging blades attached to chains, whipping themselves across their exposed backs.

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Others use long swords to cut open their own flesh during the bloody self-flagellation ceremonies.

The annual Ashura commemorations mark the killing of Imam Hussein by the forces of the Caliph Yazid in 680 AD - a formative event in Shiite Islam.

Imam Hussein's death was part of a dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Mohammed.

Hot dash: A young child runs across burning coal during a commemoration ceremony in Lahore, Pakistan

Line 'em up: A Pakistani boy runs across the hot coals while another waits to follow him

A man clutches his bloodied hands to his chest after performing self-flagellation in Srinagar, Kashmir, India

Shocking: A man cuts himself in the back using a long sword on a street in Kashmir, India

This dispute eventually developed into a bitter schism between the Sunni, who make up around 90 per cent of Muslims, and Shiite branches of Islam.

Many Shiite worshippers travel from neighbouring Iran and other countries each year to visit Imam Hussein's shrine in Karbala, which lies about 50 miles southwest of Baghdad, Iraq.

Millions of others across the Shiite world, from Lebanon to south Asia, hold processions in their home towns, performing a variety of mourning rituals.

These involve Shiites beating their chests, slapping their faces and hitting their backs with chains until they bleed to commemorate the violent deaths of Hussein and his family.

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The faithful also drive in convoys through the streets carrying colourful flags and playing songs dedicated to Hussein.

Painful: A young man's back is covered in blood as he whips himself with blades on chains

A crowd of Kashmiri Shiite Mislum watch as two others injure themselves to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein

Aftercare: A medical volunteer cleans the blood on the back of a Kashmiri Shiite Muslim