India celebrates Eid with fervour 
New Delhi, Aug 20 (IBNS)
Millions of people belonging to the Muslim community are celebrating Eid on Monday with mass prayers in the mosques and under the open sky besides engaging themselves in feasting and soaking in merriment and warm exchange of greetings.
Celebration of Eid marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting by the followers of Islam.
While in cities like Kolkata, the main attraction was the mass prayer in the heart of the city on Red Road, in Delhi the Muslims flocked to the iconic Jama Masjid and other mosques and shrines.
Markets and shopping malls in Indian cities and towns were buzzing with customers on Sunday as people were busy with the last minute shopping.
Buyers were seen shopping wide variety of items ranging from jewelleries to colourful clothes.
President of India Pranab Mukherjee has greeted Indians on the occasion of Eid.
In his message the Mukherjee has said, "On the joyous occasion of Idu'l Fitr (Eid), I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens."
"Idu'l Fitr marks the culmination of the period of fasting during the Holy month of Ramzan which is a month of blessings and forgiveness. The festival reminds us of our duties towards the poor and downtrodden as well as the need for charity and generosity towards all," he said.
Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari has extended his greetings and good wishes to the citizens of our country on the joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr.
In his message he has said that this festival signifies the traditional expression of fraternity and brotherhood across the country and marks the culmination of the holy month of 'Ramzan'.
He wished that the festival might unite all humanity in a common bond of understanding and inspire all to work tirelessly towards building a harmonious, peaceful and prosperous society.
"This festival signifies the traditional expression of fraternity and brotherhood across the country and marks the culmination of the holy month of 'Ramzan'," he said.
"May this festival unite all humanity in a common bond of understanding and inspire all to work tirelessly towards building a harmonious, peaceful and prosperous society," Ansari said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
In a message, the Prime Minister said that the festival of Eid is an occasion for happiness and is marked by the spirit of brotherhood and sacrifice.
"May Eid this year further strengthen our cultural bonds and bring peace and prosperity to all," Singh added.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wished India as he tweeted: "Eid Mubarak to all of you."
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Peace and brotherhood prevailing for last 10 years have helped Guj reach newer heights and festivals make this unity stronger. Eid Mubarak!"
Celebrities also wished India on the special day of festivity and merriment by posting their greetings and thoughts on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan wished his fans and said: "Eid Mubarak to everyone. May Allah fill your life with happiness. Look forward to reading the Takbirat in an open space in Ladakh.Insha Allah."
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan said: "Eid Mubarak to all of you. Peace, love and happiness."
Filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar tweeted: "This Eid, please make the effort to teach and spread the message of peace, tolerance and humanity. Our country is in dire need of all three."
Actor Lara Dutta Bhupathi tweeted: "Eid Mubarak friends! May this Eid bring with it Joy and Peace."
Cricketer Rohit Sharma wished his friends and said: "Eid Mubarak Tweeps :)"
Actor Madira Bedi tweeted: "Eid Mubarak.. :)"
Actor Arjun Rampal said: " Eid Mubarak one and all, time to feast. Peace, love and happiness to all."
Set up by Prophet Mohammed hundreds of years ago, Eid or Eid ul-Fitr is to celebrate two days by offering gratitude to God while indulging in merriment and festal splendour.
It is a day of joy, celebration, colours, giving, blessing and stunning aromas that enamour one's senses irrespective of the fact that one follows Islam or not.
The day begins early on Eid with Salatul Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer), and in keeping with the Sunnah (traditions and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), dental hygiene is taken care of, followed by shower (Ghusul), dressing up in new apparels (or the best available), and application of perfume.
Eid on the last day of Ramadan month is all about breaking the fast (irrespective of whether you are a certain Gandhian activist protesting against corruption) and so a customary morning breakfast of dried fruits before the first prayer is followed by much extravagant delicacies.
Gifts are frequently exchanged on Eid (called eidi in some cultures) with the children ending up as the beneficiaries in most case.
However, in India there are some communal tensions that forced heavy deployment of police in cities like Bangalore from where thousands of Northeast migrants left the IT city for their states after they became victims of threats and rumor mongering as a repercussion of the Assam violence where in Kokrajhar region tribal Bodos and Muslim settlers clashed for over a month now.
Muslim clerics across India urged their community members to remain restrained and protect every Indian.