Eid Mubarak....

Hurrah! it is Eid today.

After fasting for the whole month, Muslims celebrate their happiness as an auspicious festival called "Eid". People are so excited and joyous on this day. They get up early in the morning, with the first ray of sun, have bath and get ready for Namaz. Muslims wear their traditional clothes kurta-pyjama, put itr(liquid for good smell, but not scent), eat something sweet, usually 3,5 or 7 dates dipped in milk and go to Eid-gah(the place where Eid Namaz is performed) for Namaz. It is surprising to see such a large crowd that gathers for Namaz. Mats are even put up on streets for people. then Namaz is performed with full discipline. After Namaz people cuddle each other greeting them"Eid Mubarak". Even strangers are wished with the same enthusiasm and affection. And then the tradition of meeting people begins...

On this day, Muslims visit their relatives houses, wish them affectionately and eat shewaain. Even people who haven't seen each other for years meet each other. Such gatherings rejuvenates people's love for each other and bring them closer. Children also enjoy themselves a lot. They receive Eidi(a small sum of money) from elders.They use this money to buy toys, sit on different types of rides that come in the area, chocolates etc.

Eid is a festival celebrated in peace without any noise. It has a very special importance in every Muslims life. It is a sign of unity among them which shows that even if they don't meet regularly they are still together and remember each other.

The sign of Eid's Arrival...

Finally the crescent has appeared.

People kept their eyes on the sky continuously, eagerly waiting for a glimpse of the crescent. The moon after enjoying the curiosity of people decided to fulfill their wishes and showed its presence for a while. One glance was enough to make the whole country rejoice and start their preparations for the auspicious festival to be celebrated the next day. A feeling of felicity waived over the entire nation and people set their foot ready to run for the preparations.

It is such a happy feeling to see people enthusiastically running to buy the commodities, clothes, decorative articles etc. Children running all over the area shouting out of delight the slogan"chand dikh gaya(moon has appeared)". People start buying shewaain, the traditional sweet prepared at every Muslim's house on Eid. Some busy bargaining with the shopkeepers to cut costs of the clothes. Attractive well designed kurta-pyjamas, pathani suits, shalwar jhampals to be seen everywhere. A man with his four children making hastes in buying his childrens clothes, shoes, topi's and various other accessories. At the same time controlling his children from splitting up in so much of crowd. All these scenery add up the excitement and impatience for the coming day.

Also you can see long queues in the saloons and beauty parlors. Everybody doing a complete make over from their face to toes just for one day. Women making mehendi designs on their palms and feet, doing facial bleachings, buying all sorts of ornaments to match their clothes. Simultaneously preparing Masala's required for shewaain and other dishes.

People hardly sleep on this night. Nobody can wait anymore for the dawn to arrive. They all are busy with the house cleaning, decorations, making more space for the visitors etc. One crescent changes the whole scenario, fills everyone's heart with joy, enthusiasm and impatience. Such happiness is never seen on any other day or festival. I love this night called "chand raat".