Eid-ul-Fitr or Meethi Eid is celebrated on the last day of the holy month of Ramadan. During this sacred month, it is said - ‘the gates of heaven open and the gates of hell close with all devils chained’. This holy month is the time of spiritual discipline and deep contemplation of one’s relationship with god. The month is full of celebration and joy with your loved ones. It is said that the ‘fasting month’ does not only purify your soul, but also helps you lead a healthy life, keeping away all the bad habits that one may indulge in on the other days.

This year Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on 3rd May in India. The date of Eid changes every year as it follows Hijri calendar, which is a lunar calendar and is based on the phases of the moon.

What is a typical day during Ramadan like?

During Ramadan, one wakes up well before dawn to eat the first meal of the day, which lasts until sunset. This meal is known as “Seheri or Suhur” and usually consists of high proteins and liquids. After this a prayer is performed, after which the fast or “rosa” begins and everyone proceeds with their daily routine. The fast ends every evening with a light meal with family and friends, known as “Iftaar”; after which an evening prayer is made at home or at a mosque close by. Muslims offer Namaz or prayers at least five times a day during this holy month of Ramadan and people are reminded of this Namaz by the daily calls for prayer time known as Azaan: A prayer to Allah, at the prescribed time of the day by their priest (Imam) or muezzin. Everybody is required to wash their hands, feet, arms and legs before offering Namaz and this act is known as Wudu or ablution [Washing ] which is necessary for everyone to perform, before offering prayers to Allah.

What is the role of the Moon?

Moon has always been very essential in depicting the dates of many festivals across the world through many cultures. Ramadan reminds us of the fact that Islamic months and years are solely based on the phases of the Moon- that invented the Lunar Calendar. Lunar calendar is used to determine the date for Ramadan which culminates into Eid depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.

What is Chaand Raat?

Chaand Raat is the night that culminates the 30 Rozas or the month-long month of Ramzan. Chand Raat is the time when families visit markets to buy sweets and do Eid shopping. Famous bazaars of Delhi, Bhopal, Lucknow, are decorated beautifully; one would find bubbling and hustling streets throughout the night with enthusiastic shoppers, women buying beautiful glass bangles, applying mehendi, buying jewellery, clothes and enjoying scrumptious food.

History of Eid-ul-Fitr

It is said that Prophet Muhammad had his first revelation of the holy Quran during the auspicious month of Ramadan. Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the month of fasting, from dusk to dawn, and celebrates the arrival of new month of Shawwal. This festival is celebrated to pay respect to Allah for bestowing upon humanity, the strength and endurance to follow the month-long rituals of self preservation.

How is Eid celebrated?

All Muslims across the world, along with their family and friends celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr by taking part in communal prayers that are followed by sermon after dawn. The day starts with people wearing new clothes, exchanging blessed wishes and greeting each other by saying ‘Eid Mubarak’ which means ‘have a blessed Eid’. They all share sweets with each other and children receive gifts and money from elders which is called Eidi.

The female members of the family prepare elaborate dishes for everyone to savor. There is a lot of variety of food items made on this day to mark its celebrations with the preparation of dishes like-Biryani, Haleem, Nihari, kebabs, and desserts like –Seviyan.

Charity is one important aspect of Eid, which is one of the five Pillars of Islam (Zakat). It involves giving food or alms to the poor and the downtrodden as a benevolent act of kindness.

The Muslims not only celebrate the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan but also celebrate the end of the 29-30 days of full day fast from dawn to sunset and pay homage to Allah by thanking him for the strength to practice self control throughout the whole month of Ramadan and seek forgiveness for their sins.

According to the traditions of all over the world Eid-ul Fitr or Ramadan holds a very unique and strong socio-cultural significance that has its own quotient of morals and lessons to teach to the mortal world. All schools, colleges, and public institutions remain closed on this day to mark the significance. This festival adds colour to the cultural heritage of India as there exists a considerably large population of the Muslims in our country. With time, these traditions have strengthened their interaction and intermingling in the cultural diversity of our country.