Eid AL-Fitr
Eid-AL-Fitr is a huge holiday in India and signifies the freedom of celebrating and enjoying different cultures and traditions. This holiday in India is celebrated by thousands of muslims living in one of the most diverse nations in the world with full enthusiasm and devotion.
How People Celebrate Eid AL-Fitr in India
Eid-UL-Fitr is one of the biggest festivals in Islam which marks the end of the month of Ramazan. Eid-UL-Fitr is also known as Choti Eid or Ramadan ld in India. It is a national holiday as all the government offices, schools and most businesses are closed. Every country has its own traditions to celebrate the month of Ramzan therefore in India it is only a one day holiday while in other countries it is a three day holiday to honor the month of Ramadan.
Celebrations usually begins on the first day of Shawwal month, Muslims start preparing days before it by purchasing new clothes, clean their houses and offices, preparation of special traditional food such as Sheer Khurma.
On the day of Eid, Muslims start their day by taking a bath, eat traditional food, especially sweet, wear new clothes and visit the Mosque. Men usually wear white clothes that signify purity and austerity. Muslims gather together to offer prayers in the name of Allah in Mosque or other open spaces. Afterward, they visit the graves of their loved ones and clean the gravesites.
Muslims come together in kindness, charity, and brotherhood to wish each other Eid by hugging each other. Eid also signifies the importance of brotherhood and interaction as Muslims greet each other with hugs, gifts, love, and respect. Children also receive gifts mostly in the form of money from their relatives and loved ones.
Many Muslims also do charity on this day by donating food, money or gifts to those people who are in need. They also serve food to poor people to help them break the one-month-long fast.
What is Most Important to the People of India on Eid AL-Fitr
EID is the day where all Muslims get together and offer prayers in the name of Allah. They thank Allah for everything they have in their lives. Muslims hug each other out forgetting any conflict or disputes they might have and show love to each other. Muslims meet with their loved ones or their relatives and celebrate the togetherness by having traditional food.
Charity for some people is very important in Eid. Muslims do a lot of charity to help people in need through money, books, clothes, food, etc. This gives them a sense of happiness and joy in their hearts. Muslims also exchange gifts with each which shows the love for each other.
For some Muslims, they travel to different states, countries during eid to meet with their family and friends. They also visit Graves of their loved ones.
Advise from Locals
India has the second-largest concentration of Muslims after Hindu. Therefore Eid-UL-Fitr is celebrated in India with full enthusiasm and traditions. India celebrates it hugely as you will see markets full of people shopping, doing dinner together, etc. India is a huge country and there is a lot you can do during the time of Eid-UL-Fitr or the month of Ramadan.
Some of the best places to visit during this time are:
Old Delhi: One of the biggest Mosque is located in the heart of Delhi known as Jama Masjid. The mosque is decorated for a whole month of Ramadan and gives an amazing experience. There are amazing food stalls and restaurants which serve traditional Muslim dishes. The area around Jama Masjid has a very old history and architect. It is advised to book a one-day walk tour to experience the history of that area.
Lucknow: Areas such as Akbari gate and the Aish bagh idgah are one of the best places to visit in India during Eid-UL-Fitr. It is a great place to do some shopping, eat delicious traditional food, visit mosques to offer prayers, etc. Shops are usually open until late during Eid.
Hyderabad: Hyderabad is home to one of the most visited places in India Charminar. Thousand of people walk to Charminar for prayers and Haleem. Hyderabad offers amazing food and is decorated with lights in Muslim areas.
Other than these cities, Eid-UL-Fitr is celebrated all around India with the same involvement and excitement. Mumbai, Kolkata, Sri Nagar, Agra also has some interesting things to offer during Eid-UL-Fitr.
Overall Feeling in India during Eid-UL-Fitr
India is home to more than 140 million Muslims. India has a mix of different cultures, traditions, and religions. The month witness huge economic activity in India as parts of India like Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai has a huge Muslim population come alive especially in the evenings. Markets are overcrowded with people purchasing fruits, fried items to break the fast, clothes, gifts, etc. It provides the opportunity to foster unity and brotherhood as many non-Muslims also celebrate with their Muslim friends.
There are dozens of organization which serve free food, clothes, and even money to poor people so that they can also join and celebrate. Shopping continues till late in the night with the people tasting haleem, kheema, kababs, and biryani prepared by numerous hotels and roadside eateries.
Apart from food, people start shopping for Eid, the shops are open till midnight and the latest outfits are available. The worshippers throng the mosques for prayers till around midnight.
India is an amazing place to visit as it reflects that even though it is a Hindu dominated country, there is love, respect, harmony for all the religions and cultures there. Many non-Muslim people also visit the Mosque, their friend's house for dinner, exchange gifts as well.