Millions celebrated Eid on Wednesday with joy and religious fervour across the length and breadth of India, home to the world's third largest Muslim population.
Tens of thousands of Muslims, mostly men and children, poured into open prayer grounds and mosques to offer morning prayers to mark the end of the month-long Ramzan fasting.
Merriment followed the end of prayers. People hugged one another in keeping with tradition. In many areas, Muslims and non-Muslims greeted one another to mark Eid.
People then feasted on tantalising varieties of 'sevaiyan' (vermicelli pudding), 'firni' (rice pudding), meat and biryani, prepared specially for the day.
In Delhi, tens of thousands thronged the three biggest mosques - the 17th century Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri Masjid in Old Delhi and the Idgah mosque in central Delhi.
"The prayers began at 9 and got over in 15-20 minutes," Moulvi Mohammed Mouazzam Ahmed, the Naib Imam of Fatehpuri mosque, told IANS.
"The mosque was overflowing with worshippers and so were the streets all around it, almost up to Town Hall. I believe there were one lakh people in all... There was joy everywhere."
Many foreigners, diplomats as well as refugees, also joined the prayers and festivities. Special prayers were offered in numerous embassies in the capital.
Similar scenes were reported from all over the country, particularly in states with large Muslim populations like Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
In the Kashmir Valley, thousands gathered at grounds and mosques to pray for peace. Large gatherings packed the Hazratbal shrine, Eidgah grounds as well as Polo grounds.
Many wore new clothes, and shopped after the prayers.
READ MORE :http://www.deccanherald.com/content/187511/india-celebrates-eid-kashmir-down.html
Merriment followed the end of prayers. People hugged one another in keeping with tradition. In many areas, Muslims and non-Muslims greeted one another to mark Eid.
People then feasted on tantalising varieties of 'sevaiyan' (vermicelli pudding), 'firni' (rice pudding), meat and biryani, prepared specially for the day.
In Delhi, tens of thousands thronged the three biggest mosques - the 17th century Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri Masjid in Old Delhi and the Idgah mosque in central Delhi.
"The prayers began at 9 and got over in 15-20 minutes," Moulvi Mohammed Mouazzam Ahmed, the Naib Imam of Fatehpuri mosque, told IANS.
"The mosque was overflowing with worshippers and so were the streets all around it, almost up to Town Hall. I believe there were one lakh people in all... There was joy everywhere."
Many foreigners, diplomats as well as refugees, also joined the prayers and festivities. Special prayers were offered in numerous embassies in the capital.
Similar scenes were reported from all over the country, particularly in states with large Muslim populations like Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
In the Kashmir Valley, thousands gathered at grounds and mosques to pray for peace. Large gatherings packed the Hazratbal shrine, Eidgah grounds as well as Polo grounds.
Many wore new clothes, and shopped after the prayers.
READ MORE :http://www.deccanherald.com/content/187511/india-celebrates-eid-kashmir-down.html
