Eid-ul-Azha celebrated across India

New Delhi, Sep 13 (PTI) Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated withtraditional gaiety and fervour across the country today asMuslims thronged mosques for prayers and exchanged greetingson the holy day. Hordes of people visited mosques and idgahs in thenational capital to offer prayers on Eid this morningkickstarting festivities on the auspicious occasion. Large number of people attended special prayers at thehistoric Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid and other prominentmosques in all parts of the city. The sacrifice ritual was also performed by the devout attheir homes on the occasion of the festival also known asBakr-Id. People, specially children, in their festive best visitedfriends, neighbours and relatives exchanging greetings andgifts, all over the city. Elaborate security arrangements were in place by DelhiPolice for prayers at mosques and old city areas where largenumber of people visited markets and enjoyed festivities. Clerics and community leaders delivered sermons on thefestive occasion which occurs the day after pilgrimsperforming Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabiaby Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. The festival is celebrated approximately 70 days after theend of the month of Ramzan, which is observed as Eid-ul-Fitr. Animal sacrifices are also performed as a ritual tocommemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his sonIshmael as an act of obedience to God. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on Eid,hoping the festival will usher in peace and togetherness. "Id-ul-Zuha greetings. May this festival enhance thespirit of peace & togetherness in our society," he tweeted. In trouble-torn Kashmir, curfew and widespread clashesthat left two youths dead marred Eid festivities in the Valleywhich has been witnessing continued protests for last 65 daysclaiming lives of 78 people. For the first time, no Eid prayers were offered at thehistoric Jamia Masjid in Srinagar in nearly two centuries. Thelast time the grand mosque was closed was in 1821. Similarly, no Eid prayers were offered at Idgah thoughauthorities allowed partial use of Hazratbal Shrine forprayers. This is probably for the first time that curfew is inplace on the day of Eid festival ever since militancy brokeout in the state in 1990. While curfew was in force in Kashmir valley, Jammu regioncelebrated Eid-ul-Azha with religious fervour as Muslimsflocked to mosques to offer prayers. Besides offering prayers, people in colourful attireexchanged Eid greetings and pleasantries in all the districtsof Jammu province. Hindus and Sikhs also participated in thecelebrations, extending greetings to their Muslim brethren onthe auspicious occasion. "Eid is the day when we remember the God and seek hisblessings. While we prayed for ourselves, we also prayed forpeace in the country, especially the Kashmir valley," saidIrfan Khan, a local shopkeeper. PTI TEAM KUN RGKUN