Bhubaneswar: A festive spirit gripped Twin Cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar on Eid-ul-Fitr with thousands of Muslims offering special prayers at mosques exchanging greetings and gifts along with warm embraces and taking part in feasts with friends and family.
Mosques at Bhubaneswar and Cuttack witnessed a congregation of thousands of people offering the morning prayers. Despite inclement weather and scattered rains in some areas, hundreds of faithful dressed in their festive best turned up at mosques in the twin cities to offer prayers.
People were seen hugging each other and exchanging gifts and enjoying special dishes, particularly ‘sewayian’. Elders were seen giving ‘eidee’ (token money) to children. Besides, they were giving out alms to the needy.
Rooted in Islamic tradition, Eid-ul-Fitr is the most significant festival in the Islamic calendar. It marks the culmination of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. During Ramadan Muslims observe fasting. It holds historical significance, tracing back to 624 AD when Prophet Muhammad received the first vision of the Holy Quran during Ramadan and ordered its observance. Additionally, Eid-ul-Fitr marks the Prophet’s triumph in the Battle of Badr
Also known as Meethi Eid, Eid-ul-Fitr holds profound importance in the Islamic faith, signifying a time of joy, gratitude, and harmony among Muslims all over the world. As Muslims come together to mark the end of Ramadan, they embrace the spirit of Eid-ul-Fitr with fervour, spreading joy and goodwill among all.
It is learnt that the festival’s date is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, typically falling on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
