Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice, was celebrated with religious fervour and due reverence across the country today.
The devotees offered Eid prayers in Eidgahs and mosques this morning. Later, they exchanged Eid greetings. In Delhi, the main Eid prayer congregations were held at Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri mosque and Shahi Eidgah.
Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son in obedience to God’s command. Reports of Eid prayers congregations have also come in from other parts of the country. Elaborate security arrangements had been made on the occasion.
The day of Eid-ul-Adha falls on the tenth day in the final (twelfth) month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar; Dhu-al-Hijjah. The day that celebrations fall on is dependent on a legitimate sighting of the moon, following the completion of the annual Holy Pilgrimage of Hajj – which is an obligation for all Muslim’s who fit specific criteria, one of the important Five Pillars of Islam.
Traditionally, the day is spent celebrating with family, friends and loved ones, often wearing new or best attire and the giving of gifts.