How Is Eid ul Fitr Celebrated in India

How Is Eid ul Fitr Celebrated in India

 

Eid ul Fitr is a festivity celebrated by Muslims worldwide, but each country has its own Eid ul Fitr traditions. So, how is Eid ul Fitr celebrated in India? In this article, The Indian Rose will take you to the most spectacular Eid ul Fitr celebrations in India, and talk about typical clothes, Eid ul Fitr dishes in India, and traditions. We will also answer the question: is Eid ul Fitr a national holiday in india? So let’s discover together how is Eid ul Fitr celebrated in India.

 

What Is Eid ul Fitr?

 

Eid ul Fitr is the festivity celebrated at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, or Ramazan. During Ramadan Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, sexual intercourse, and immoral behaviour from dawn till dusk. Eid ul Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” is the first day after Ramadan, and the only day fast is actually prohibited. Feasting is a big part of how Eid ul Fitr is celebrated in India. Eid ul Fitr also celebrates the revelation of the Holy Quran, which happened in the last ten days of Ramadan.

Eid ul Fitr starts on the night the new moon is sighted, which marks the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar, and celebrations last for three days.

During Ramadan people focus on empathising with the less privileged, so a big part of Eid ul Fitr consists of sharing food and donating to charities. Strength and self-control – boosted during Ramadan – are other key values celebrated on Eid ul Fitr. These values are common to how Eid ul Fitr is celebrated in India and everywhere else.

Eid ul Fitr is also known as Small Eid or Lesser Eid, in relation to Eid al Adha, the festival of sacrifice.

Discover how is Eid al Adha celebrated in India

Let’s now see how is Eid ul Fitr celebrated in India.

 

How Is Eid ul Fitr Celebrated in India?

 

This is how is Eid ul Fitr celebrated in India:

  • Several days before Eid ul Fitr, Muslims make a mandatory donation in the form of food – called fitrana – to the poor, in order to make sure it reaches those in need in time for Eid ul Fitr.
  • On the days preceding Eid ul Fitr, Muslims go to tailors and markets and shop for new clothes to wear for Eid.
  • Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated
  • Something special to how Eid ul Fitr is celebrated in India is the celebration of Chaand Raat, which means “the night of the moon”. That’s the last night of Ramadan, when people gather to spot the new moon together. Once the moon appears, people wish each other Chaand Raat Mubarak (“Happy Night of the Moon”). Women apply mehndi (henna) on their hands. Then they go shopping in markets, and prepare sweets for the day after. There is a festive atmosphere in Indian Muslim towns for Chaand Raat, with shops open till late.
  • On the day of Eid, people wake up early, take a bath, wear new clothes, and eat some traditional sweets, before attending the collective prayer; this is how Eid ul Fitr is celebrated in India.
  • Eid ul Fitr’s prayer may only be recited in congregation, and is characterised by 6 extra Takbirs (raising of hands during the recitation of “Allāhu ʾAkbar”). It is held in open spaces, and is a spectacular collective affair. Further down we’ll tell you what are the best places to witness Eid ul Fitr celebrations in India.
  • Afterwards, many people visit their family members’ graveyards. Then, they visit friends and family members and exchange wishes, gifts, and food. People wish each other Eid Mubarak (Happy Eid) and children are often given a small sum of money.
  • During Eid, many Indian Muslims offer food and clothes to the disadvantaged.

This how Eid ul Fitr is generally celebrated in India.

 

Special Features of How Eid ul Fitr Is Celebrated in India

 

The things that make Eid ul Fitr celebrations in India different are:

  • Eid ul Fitr is often regarded as Choti Eid (small Eid) or Ramadan Eid in India.
  • India is a multi-cultural and tolerant society, Eid ul Fitr is celebrated by all communities: Hindu, Christians and Buddhist join their Muslim friends, enjoy traditional sweets, and wish each other happy Eid. In a similar fashion, lots of spiritual-oriented people of all religions celebrate Mahashivratri together.
  • The celebration of Chaand Raat, as explained above, is a special feature of how Eid ul Fitr is celebrated in india.
  • What makes Eid ul Fitr special in India is also the delicious dishes that family prepare, so let’s see some Eid ul Fitr dishes in India.

 

Eid ul Fitr Dishes in India

 

India Eid ul Fitr Dishes

 

In India, traditional Eid ul Fitr dishes include:

  • Sevai for Eid or Seviyan: a dessert of vermicelli noodles cooked in milk with almonds, pistachios, and ghee.
  • Hyderabadi Sheer Khurma: this type of Sevai for Eid is even richer. Apart from noodles, milk, and nuts, it contains dates and spices such as saffron and cardamom. The origin of the recipe is Persian.
  • Ras Malai: sometimes made for Eid ul Fitr, it consists of cheese balls stuffed with dry fruits, cooked in milk, and soaked in a cardamom cream.
  • Dates: as traditionally eaten by the Prophet
  • Eid Biryani: the most popular Eid dish in India, Biryani is a delicious one-pot dish of Basmati rice and meat. Muslim women wake up early to prepare it for Eid ul Fitr.

As you can see, the special festive menu is a big part of how is Eid ul Fitr celebrated in India, let’s now see other aspects of this magnificent celebration.

 

Eid ul Fitr India Outfits

 

Indian Muslims wear specific outfits for Eid ul Fitr.

  • An elegant traditional Salwar Kameez is an all time favourite for both men and women.

See can I wear salwar kameez for interview

  • Other men’s outfits include kurta pajamas and a topi or taqiyah cap.
  • Women like to wear beautiful Anarkalis and Lehenga Choli, paired with special hijabs.

The last thing to know regarding how is Eid ul Fitr celebrated in India is where to find the best celebrations.

 

Top Places where Eid ul Fitr Is Celebrated in India

 

Is Eid ul Fitr a National Holiday in India

 

Here are the best places for witnessing how is Eid ul Fitr celebrated in India

Jama Masjid, Delhi

This is simply the place for Eid ul Fitr in India. The mosque explodes with people, those who can’t fit pray outside, and the whole Old Delhi becomes a celebration of joy.

Taj Mahal, Agra

One of the world’s seven wonders hosts thousands of people for free on the day of Eid ul Fitr, generally after the prayer. The atmosphere is unbeatable.

Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad

The huge Mecca Mosque can accommodate 10000 worshippers. People pray and exchange wishes, before heading to the Chaar Minar monument for a proper celebration.

Nakhoda Masjid, Kolkata

The main mosque in Kolkata is a beautiful red building. Kolkata’s markets are some of the best in the country for Eid shopping.

Aishbagh Idgah, Lucknow

This 300 year-old space in Lucknow has inside and outside spaces for women and men to celebrate Eid ul Fitr.

Haji Ali, Mumbai

This great mosque and tomb is a beautiful example of Indian Muslim architecture emerging from the ocean. It is the most scenic place to celebrate Eid ul Fitr in Mumbai.

Masjid-e-Khadriya, Bangalore

This beautiful central mosque is right in the heart of the Eid action.

Hazratbal Mosque, Srinagar

This is a very special place to celebrate Eid ul Fitr as it is said to house a relic of the Prophet Muhammad. The city itself is splendidly lively during Eid ul Fitr.

One last point on how is Eid ul Fitr celebrated in India is: is Eid ul Fitr a national holiday in India?

 

Is Eid ul Fitr a National Holiday in India?

 

Eid ul Fitr is a national holiday in India. As such, schools, public offices, and most businesses remain close. The only difference between how Eid ul Fitr is celebrated in India and in many Muslim countries is that in India the national holiday lasts for one day only, instead of three.

Any question or comment on how is Eid ul Fitr celebrated in India is welcome in the comments section below!

 

Eid ul Fitr in India

 



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