Introduction:

Eid-ul-Fitr, popularly known as the "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast". Fitr is derived from the word ‘fatar’ meaning breaking. Fitr has another meaning derived from another word fitrah meaning ‘alms’. The festival is intended to be a festive and joyous occasion. Special foods and delicacies are prepared for the day and are distributed among neighbours and friends.

To get to the significance of Eid, one must first understand the meaning of Ramzan. ‘Ramz’ means to burn, and fasting is considered to burn down ones sins. Fasting or Roza starts at sunrise and lasts until sunset. During this time no food or water is consumed. Pregnant women, the handicapped and the ailing, people on a long journey, and ladies in confinement are exempted from Roza, but they must resume fasting on recovery.

Eid Ul Fitr is a joyous occasion. It celebrates discipline and kindness and strives to establish a semblance of equality in our crazy chaotic cosmos.

Celebrated on:

It is celebrated after the fasting month of Ramzan (the ninth month of the Muslim year), on the first day of the Shavval month of the Hijri year (Muslim year).

Legends of the Festival:

According to the legend, one day Prophet Muhammad had a vision in which the angel Jibril told him how Allah wanted people to live. Then Allah's words were revealed to Muhammad through the angel during the month of Ramzan, and the words were written down to form the holy Qur'an. Prophet Muhammad declared the last day of Ramzan to celebrate Id Ul Fitr and strengthening the feeling of brotherhood.

Celebrations of the festival:

This festival celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing..On the festive day of Id Ul Fitr Muslims dress-up in the new clothes, apply perfume and Muslim women decorate their hands with beautiful textures using heena and wears shimmering jewelry to celebrate the festive enthusiasm. The devotees gather in the mosques to pray, friends and relatives meet and exchange greetings and embrace each other. Prayers, family get-togethers and feasts are the major highlights of the festival. Delicious dishes like vermicelli and kheer are prepared and distributed among friends and relatives in social get togethers.

Kashmiri Muslims do not prepare sivai for Eid. Instead, they make several meat dishes, sweetmeats and kahva (Kashmiri tea, made with dry fruits, spices and a special kind of Chinese or Tibetan tea, strangely called ‘Bombay Tea’)