Pious, joyous Eid celebrations in Maharashtra

Eid Al-Adha or Bakri Eid was celebrated with traditional piety and joy by the Muslim community of Mumbai and in the rest of Maharashtra on Tuesday.

Since dawn of the day marking the second most important festival in the Islamic calendar, lakhs of Muslims trooped to mosques, open grounds and other areas for the special Eid namaz.

Later, they hugged and greeted each other with 'Eid Mubarak' before setting off for the ceremonious sacrifice of goats.

Select portions of the sacrificial meat were distributed among family, friends, relatives, neighbours and other community members.

Eid Al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Zilhajj or Zulhijja and coincides with the Haj Day or Arafat Day, to commemorate the sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Ismail and his mother Hager.

Muslims believe that Prophet Ibrahim had sacrificed his beloved son, Prophet Ismail after he was ordered to do so in three consecutive dreams by Allah.

He was directed to sacrifice his son, but when he did, by Allah's grace he received a sheep with divine blessings.

Eid Al-Adha commemorates this extraordinary display of faith in Allah and Muslims celebrate it by sacrificing animals on this day.

Hundreds of mosques in Mumbai wore a festive look with bright lights and decorations as Muslims prayed in shifts.

Additional arrangements were made outside the roads, on pavements and other open areas to accommodate the huge rush. Some places erected special marquees as a precaution against the rains in view of overcast skies.

Maharashtra Governor C.V. Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warmly greeted the Muslims on the occasion.

Coinciding with the ongoing 11-day Ganeshotsav celebrations this year, the Mumbai Police had made elaborate security and traffic arrangements for Eid Al-Adha to ensure both festivals passed off without disturbing each other.

Similar reports of pious, joyous and peaceful celebrations were received from Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Palghar, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and other areas in the state.

In some places including north-Mumbai and Thane, sudden showers failed to dampen the festivities in which members of all communities joined in wishing and celebrating with their Muslim brethren.

--IANS

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