Eid: Where piety, revelry mix with heavy security

Muslims across the country celebrated Eid ul-Fitr with religious fervour and gaiety amidst increased security.

Thousands of worshippers gathered at the Jama Masjid in the capital on Sunday morning to attend special congregational prayers.

Heavy security arrangements were made at the mosque on the occasion. Police was keeping a vigil on the movement of public from nearby high rise buildings. The mosque has already installed CCTVs to monitor the movement of public, said Ahmed Bukhari of the Masjid.

Muslims in also offered prayers and greeted each other at the Fatehpruri Masjid, Shahi Imam of the masjid Mufti M Mukkaram Ahmed said.

The excitement was palpable, for finally, the long period of devout fasting was over and it was time to revel in the festivities.

Though it's a holiday, the streets are packed with people buying gifts for their loved ones, and the bazaars are dotted with colourful displays of clothes, bangles, toys and food.

While children collect their Eidi and grown-ups greet and wish each other, the vendors in the bazaars are busy serving kheer and kulfi to their lively customers, without a thought for their celebrations.

"We will celebrate Eid after two or three days after the bustle is over," said one vendor. "I will serve my family, then, and I will enjoy it," he added.

In Jammu and Kashmir, celebrations were largely peaceful, barring an incident of stone pelting at Hazratbal, in which two police officers were injured.

Eid prayers were offered at the Eidgah in Srinagar after a gap of nearly 20 years, where one lakh Muslims had congregated. Till a few years ago, security was extremely tight and no one was allowed to enter the Eidgah. The celebrations herald a return to normalcy for the people of the Valley.

However, the largest congregation of Eid prayers was held at the Hazratbal Shrine, where more than 1.5 lakh devouts offered prayers.

In Lucknow, heavy police forces were deployed at all religious places, in view of the recent blast at Ajmer. Prayers were offered at Aishbagh Eidgah, the historic Tile Wali Masjid and other mosques amidst tight security arrangements.

Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Muslims thronged Chandigarh's main mosque at Sector 20 and offered prayers and greetings.

Thousands of Muslims from Moga in Punjab and the town's adjoining areas gathered at the Idgah to offer prayers. Fazal Din, member of Punjab Haj Committee said there will be no Eid Milan today in view of the Ajmer blast. A two-minute silence was observed at the Moga mosque to pay homage to those who died in the blast.

The festival was also celebrated across Bihar with traditional enthusiasm albeit amid tight security. Clad in their best, lakhs of people, including children visited several mosques across the state and offered prayers.

In Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar went to the historic Gandhi Maidan, where mass prayers were held this morning on the occasion.

Eid is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Though the traditions are different and the food varies, the excitement, the revelry and the spirit of oneness and brotherhood is the same everywhere.