New Delhi, Nov 28 (IANS) Dressed in their finest, millions of Muslims Saturday thronged mosques across the country and then visited their relatives and friends to celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Zuha.
In the national capital, one of the main centres for the Eid festivities was the historic Jama Masjid where thousands gathered to offer prayers.
After prayers, the devotees sacrificed goats and other animals and shared the meat with their relatives, friends and the poor.
Eid-ul-Zuha, also known as Bakr-Eid or the festival of sacrifice, is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah's command.
In keeping with tradition, people wore new clothes to celebrate the festival and also exchanged sweets. The old Delhi area also wore a festive look as the market was buzzing with people.
"I have just come back after offering namaaz. Now I will celebrate with my family and will distribute sweets to the poor and underprivileged," said Khalid Mohammad, a resident of Jamia Nagar in south Delhi.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered prayers at the Hazratbal shrine in the morning. Thousands of others also offered prayers after which they sacrificed animals. At several places security personnel were seen exchanging greetings with locals. The festival was reported to be peaceful across the valley.
In Assam, people prayed for peace and communal harmony. At several places special prayers were held to end insurgency and violence in the state. On the occasion of Eid, members of both Hindu and Muslim communities greeted each other.
"Had I been at my home in Assam, Eid would have been very different. it is just like another holiday here," said Shabnam Ahmad, a student who lives in Delhi.
In Kerala, a state with a large Muslim population, the festival was celebrated Friday.
In Maharashtra, elaborate security arrangements were made for the festival. It was celebrated in several parts of Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Malegaon, Aurangabad and Ahmednagar. There were no reports of any untoward incident.
In Hyderabad, the biggest congregation was held at historic Mir Alam Eidgah where thousands had gathered. The historic Mecca Masjid witnessed the second biggest congregation.
Prayers were also held at hundreds of mosques across the state. The markets were crowded throughout the night as shopping of goats continued.
In Patna too thousands gathered at historic Gandhi Maidan to pray and celebrate the festival with traditional fervour.
In Uttar Pradesh, the police had made adequate security arrangements. There was a heavy deployment of police and security personnel.
In Lucknow, the biggest crowds were seen at the Aishbagh Eidgah (the biggest prayer ground in the city) and the Aasifi Masjid in the old city area here.
"We prayed to Allah to free our country from terrorism that has now become a global threat," said Naeem Ansari, a resident of Rakabganj locality in the old city area.
People also thronged the markets to buy new clothes and sweets for the festival.
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