Eid AL-Adha
Eid-Al-Adha is a major Indian festival that is celebrated every year with great devotion and enthusiasm all around the world. This Holiday in India is also known as the festival of sacrifice as on this day every Muslim family sacrifices a goat, sheep or camel to show their devotion to Allah.
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 date for this holiday in India 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 Muslims who fit specific criteria, one of the important Five Pillars of Islam.
How Do the Locals in India Celebrate Eid-Al-Adha
It is a national holiday in India as all the schools, banks and government offices are closed to mark the celebration of one of the biggest festivals in India Eid-Al-Adha. On this day, Muslims gather in a famous mosque or nearby mosque to offer early morning prayers to Allah. It is believed that Eid is a day of victory and those who are successful in their spiritual growth receive Eid with a victorious spirit. It proves that one has control over his desires and leads a disciplined life.
Muslims wear new clothes and greet each other with hugs or present to wish Eid-Al-Adha. Eid-Al-Adha is also known as Bakra Eid in India because on this day people sacrifice an animal such as Sheep or goat to prove their devotion towards Allah. People usually purchase animals a week or a day before the festival. After sacrificing the animal, devotees distribute the offerings to family, friends, and people in need. It is believed by many Muslims that no Muslim should be without food.
Food plays a major role as people cook some traditional delicious food and sweets and celebrate this auspicious occasion with friends and families.
Advice from Locals in India
India has a huge Muslim population where some of the states have Muslims as a majority. Millions of Muslims gather together in the mosque to offer prayers to god. To experience the best of the festival, it Is advised by the people to visit a famous mosque in India such as Jama Masjid, mecca masjid, Haji Ali Darga, Tipu Sultan Mosque, etc. These mosques are usually surrounded by Muslim majority areas where Muslims sacrifice goat after offering prayers to god. Markets are usually decorated and offer some very delicious food and sweets. People also distribute meat to their families, kids and even people in need. A few of the best places to visit in India during the time of Eid-Al-Fitr are Delhi, Hyderabad, Gujrat, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Srinagar.
History of this Holiday
EID-AL-ADHA is also known as the festival of sacrifice which is celebrated by millions of Muslims all around the world. The history behind this major festival lays back centuries ago. Eid-Al-Adha marks the end of Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Abraham was instructed by Allah in a dream to raise the foundation of Kaaba, the most sacred shrine in Mecca. To prove his faith to Allah, Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Ishamel. Abraham agreed to sacrifice his son to prove his faith to Allah, but a devil tried to convince him to disobey Allah's command. But Abraham did not listen to the devil and drove him away. As Abraham prepared to kill his son, God stopped him and give him a Sheep to sacrifice instead. That is why this festival is popularly known as the festival of sacrifice which celebrates the Abraham unselfish act of Sacrificing his son for the sake of God.