A festive mood prevailed in the city as people observed Eid al-Fitr with much fervour on Saturday.
Mosques, markets and Iftar food shops bustled with crowd as Muslims in the city broke their month-long Ramzan fast. Gift shops at Russell Market and Frazer Town saw brisk business.
When the sliver of the silver moon showed on Friday night, marking the end of the month of Ramzan, celebrations of Eid al-Fitr or Eid began in the morning, with men visiting mosques to pray for happiness and prosperity.
Jumma Masjid — among the oldest in the city — in KR Market and Masjid-e-Bilal in Bannerghatta were crowded with worshipers on Saturday, while in the evening, families relished sweets such as the ‘sheer kurma’ or ‘sevai’, a delicacy prepared commonly at homes.
Families also made various types of biryani, known to be the mandatory dish on Eid. The festival also strengthens the bond between families.
Afreen Farheen Modi, a resident of Richmond Town, said: “During Eid, people forget all the personal issues that they have with each other and extend greetings, termed as ‘sunna’. It is believed that when we do this, we earn a special place in heaven. Children are given ‘Eidis’, money given as a token of appreciation for fasting during Ramzan.”
“While men go to mosques, women stay back and decorate the house. Eid is also that time of the year when women are decked up in new clothes and jewels,” said Aafiya Mehreen, a student and a resident of Kammanahalli.
“The families also share ‘fitrah’, a mandatory charity that they share among the less fortunate ones in mosques. Hence, the name Eid al-Fitr,” said Ayeshna Ambreen, partner and design director, Saif Faisal Design Workshop.