Eid Ul fitr
Year | Dates |
---|---|
2023 | 21st April 2023. |
2024 | To be announced |
Eid Ul Fitr marks the end of the Islamic Holy Month of Muslims, Ramadan. Eid Us Fitr is the most important festival for all the Muslims in the world. In India, the Muslims residing in various states of the country celebrate Eid Ul Fitr with great pomp and fervour, and of course, with great religious intentions as the day marks the end of one whole month of fasting and purification. Ei Ul Fitr is celebrated all over India by the Muslim community but the celebration is open for all people, irrespective of caste and religion. In fact, many Hindu families wait eagerly for Eid Ul Fitr festival to have a grand feast and celebrations at their Muslim friends’ homes.
Date
Eid ul Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, which is the tenth month according to the Islamic calendar. This usually falls in the month of April or May. The date is decided on the basis of the visibility of Eid crescent moon by the Islamic religious heads of different countries. Thus, it may be celebrated on different days in different countries. Eid Ul fitr 2023 date in India falls on 21st April 2023.
History and significance
As per legends, Holy Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. So, Muslims consider Ramadan as a holy month and offer their prayers to Allah wholeheartedly. In order to show their devotion to Allah, they hold fast from dawn to dusk for a month. Eid-ul-Fitr, thus, marks the end of this month and end of fasting.
How is Eid Ul Fitr Celebrated?
• Eid Ul Fitr is one of the long-awaited festivals for the Muslims. After a one month of fasting, it is the day when the Muslims break the fast and celebrate it with family, friends and relatives. It is one of the largest celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
• Traditionally, the Eid Ul Fitr starts as the sun sets and the crescent moon is visible on the sky. It is said that Muslims are not supposed to fast on this day. They break their one-month long fast with heavy feasting and sumptuous meals.
• It is customary for the Muslims to go to Mosques to offer special prayers, which is referred as namaaj. They gather in open spaces at mosques, or open fields or community centres. The prayer is followed by a sermon and then each and every Muslim ask for Allah’s forgiveness, and pray for the well-being of their family. During Eid celebrations, every mosque and masjid don a festive look with joy and excitement
• On this day, Muslims wear new clothes. They visit their friends and relatives’ homes to greet each other. There is a festive ambience all around. With sumptuous delicacies prepared at homes by the women folk, Muslims celebrate this festival by inviting each other.
• People also do charity on the auspicious occasion of Eid.
Touring India on Eid Ul Fitr
India’s Eid Ul Fitr celebrations at few specific places deserve a special mention as these places give a clear depiction of the ritual, cultural heritage and traditions of the Islam community. If you want to have a true taste of Eid Ul Fitr, then visiting a mosque gives you an unforgettable experience as a tourist. Some of the popular mosques where you can see the true spirit of the Eid Ul Fitr festival and enjoy the festival to the core are Jama Masjid in Delhi, Taj Mahal Mosque in Agra, Charminar in Hyderabad, Masjid-E-Khadria in Bangalore, and Haji Ali in Mumbai. These are also some of the major tourist spots of the country. These mosques attract thousands of people on Eid-Ul-Fitr. You will not only find the mosques packed with Muslim devotees but also non-Muslim tourists from different parts of the country.
All these mosques/masjids and nearby areas are beautifully decked up with attractive festoons, colourful lights, and fair where people buy new clothes, sweets, and other delicacies. There is a vibrant crowd thronging at the markets outside these Masjids to celebrate the festival with great fun and enthusiastically.
You can plan your trip to these places for an exciting Eid Ul Fitr celebration. Book for an Eid Ul Fitr Festival Tour to any of your favourite destinations with the best inbound tour operator in India. Your tour operator can guide you on the same. Though religious wise, it is a festival for only the Muslims, yet, as a non-Muslim too, you can mingle in the festivities and enjoy the festival to the fullest. .
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