India celebrates Eid-Ul-Fitr today

The occasion is auspicious for the community, who follows strict rules of Ramzan for a whole month until Eid, when the Muslims can go feasting and soaking in merriment.

Such is the grandeur of the occasion that people from other communities also join the fun and revelry.

 Prime Minister  Narendra Modi  has greeted the people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

"Greetings on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this auspicious day strengthen the bond of peace, unity & brotherhood across our Nation," the Prime Minister said.


Indian Vice President M. Hamid Ansari on Monday greeted the Indian citizens on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

In his message, he has said that this festival celebrates the essential unity of mankind and highlights the human values of peaceful coexistence, love and compassion.  
 
“I convey my warm greetings and best wishes to the citizens of our country on the joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramzan.
This festival celebrates the essential unity of mankind and highlights the human values of peaceful coexistence, love and compassion.
May this auspicious occasion bless us with peace, prosperity and harmony in our lives," Ansari said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished the nation her  warm greeting of Eid-ul-Fitr  on her Facebook page.

In his Eid message, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the spirit behind the observance of Eid-ul-Fitr is to express 'our thanks to Almighty Allah for giving us the courage to observe fast in the month of Ramadhan and rededicate ourselves to the truthfulness, sincerity, self control, patience and human dignity showing complete obedience to Allah.'.

Meanwhile celebrities and politicians also took it the micro-blogging site Twitter to wish netizens.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj ‏tweeted: "Eid Mubarak."

Bollywod superstar Amitabh Bachchan wish his fans on the occasion by posting a picture and tweeting: "Eid Mubarak .. peace harmony and happiness for all ... "

Actor Shah Rukh Khan posted:"What a beautiful rain kissed day....Eid Mubarak. May Allah grant us all with peace & a modicum of happiness. Bas itna sa khwab hai...."

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ‏tweeted, "Eid Mubarak! May this celebration bring people of all sects & religions closer & unite them into a One World Family!"

Actress Madhuri Dixit-Nene ‏wished all by posting: "Eid Mubarak to all! May there be success, happiness, love and peace for everyone!"

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi ‏wished all tweeting :“Eid Mubarak to all: May our country move towards greater harmony and prosperity for all)."

Businessman Raj Kundra wished by posting: "Eid Mubarak to all. Stay blessed and bonded. #familytime."

Union HRD Minister and a prominent TV personality Smriti Z Irani ‏tweeted: "Eid Mubarak. May this day bring joy and peace to all."

Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav also wished all over Twitter. 

Celebrity jewellery designer Farah Khan in her message said: "Wishing everyone out here a very happy Eid. May u have a blessed day & let's pray for the less fortunate whoever & wherever they maybe."

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain ‏tweeted: "Wishing you all a very Happy Eid-Ul-Fitr!! May this Eid bring to you happiness, success & prosperity!"

On this day,  Muslims throng Eidgahs and mosques generally early in the morning and offer prayers.

The male members of the community then embrace each other to foster brotherhood and spread the message of love and unity.

The picture of celebration is reflected across the country in India.

In Delhi, thousands of devotees assemble at Jama Masjid in the morning to offer their prayers. 

The historic mosque welcomes at least 20,000 people on Eid-ul-Fitr each year.

In Kolkata, the mood of celebrations are  seen across the city. 

From offering prayer on the Red Road to visits to the mosques, the mood is upbeat everywhere. 

In Jammu and Kashmir, the biggest prayer congregations is held at the famed Hazratbal shrine, housing the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad on the outskirts of Srinagar and central mosque (Jamia Masjid) here, where tens of thousands of devotees  participate in Eid prayers.  

At Srinagar, the biggest Eid congregation is held at the historic Eidgah in downtown city. The Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, is expected to join tens of thousands of devotees to offer the special Eid prayers on the occasion.

Eid congregation is also organized at the Dargah Asar-e-Sharif at Hazratbal where the special prayers have been scheduled at 11 a.m.

The biggest religious festival of the Muslims is  equally celebrated in neighbouring Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Set up by Prophet Mohammed hundreds of years ago, Eid or Eid ul-Fitr is to celebrate two days by offering gratitude to the God while indulging in merriment and festal splendour.

It is a day of joy, celebration and  giving blessings.

The day generally culminates into stunning  aromas of special treats  that can be experienced in every nook and corner of the cities celebrating Eid.

The day begins early on Eid with Salatul Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer), and in keeping with the Sunnah (traditions and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), dental hygiene is taken care of, followed by shower (Ghusul), dressing up in new apparels (or the best available), and application of perfume.

Eid, on the last day of Ramadan month,  is all about breaking the fast and so a customary morning breakfast of dried fruits before the first prayer is followed by much extravagant delicacies.

Gifts are exchanged on Eid (called eidi in some cultures).

The shopping spree ahead of Eid is also quite common, especially among the youths  and the market places throughout the country were busy catering to the demand for newer clothes and jewellery.

Culinary delights of the greatest Islamic festival are also legendary and dishes like the “shemai” or "sewayan" (toasted sweet vermicelli noodles) or the famous “Hyderabadi haleem” (a type of meat stew) becomes the most relished one.