Introduction:

Coming with the new moon, the festival marks the end of 'Ramadan' - a month when Muslims fast throughout the day and eat only at night Prayers, feasts and family get- together are the major highlights of the celebrations. It was during this month that the holy Koran was revealed. Eid means recurring happiness or festivity. The holy month of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, is very auspicious to the Muslims the world over.

A very important aspect of eid is the charity, which all the Muslims are expected to extend to the needy. Earlier, this was in the form of gifts in kind but now cash is given to the needy.

The secondary objective of fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing compassion for the needy, and learn to be thankful and appreciative for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also advantageous to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits.

Celebrated on:

Ramzan or Id -Ul-Fitr is a Musilm festival celebrated at the end of the Ramadan, the ninth lunar month of the Islamic Calendar, the day following the appearance of the new moon.

Legends of the Festival:

It is believed that the holy book of Muslims, the Quran, came into existence during this month. ProphetMohammad who was an illiterate person was chosen by God to be His messenger to compile the holy book. The last ten days are specially significant as the faithful watch for Lailathul Qadr (the Night of Power) during which the revelation of the book to the Prophet was completed.

Celebrations of the festival:

The tradition is that everyone bathe eatly morning, wears new or clean clothes and eats dates or some other sweet before walking to the mosque for Eid prayers. Men wear white clothes because white symbolises purity and austerity. Community prayer, generally held in an open space is the most important part in Ramzan Eid celebrations. Every Muslim is commanded by Koran to offer Eid prayer with his breathern in full faith. As the congregation becomes too unwieldy to be accommodated in a mosque spacious grounds are selected for Community Prayers. It is required that every Muslim gives alms to the poor and dresses in clean clothes before attending the public prayer.The Fitr or alms must be a minimum of two kilos and a half of wheat or any other grain, dates or grapes. Thus every member of a Muslim household is under religious obligation to give this Fitr or alms before proceeding to the ground where Eid Prayer or Community Ibadat is arranged. They believe that those who do not give alms on this day will not go to heaven after death.

After the Ibadat or prayer is over, a sermon is delivered for an hour or so. The preacher then offers extempore supplementary prayers which are known as `Munajat' to the Almighty Allah for the welfare of the Muslim faith, remission of sins for all Muslims. He then comes down from the pulpit, kneels on a prayer carpet to do "NAMAZ" supplication on behalf of the people. The congregation at the end of each prayer , rises up and ejaculates "Faith"- Din.

People spend the rest of the day in feasting, visiting each other's homes and partake in festive meals with special dishes, beverages, and desserts. Children receive gifts and sweets on this happy occasion. In addition, like the pilgrims in Makkah, the Muslims, who can afford to do so, offer domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice. The meat is distributed for consumption to family, friends, and to the poor and needy. Prayers are offered in mosques and Idgahs and elaborate festivities are held.

Ramzan Eid is an occasion for a general expression of goodwill and friendship. Even those who are dead are not excluded from the benefit of this Eid. So it is a prevalent custom in certain parts of India for the living wife of a Muslim to offer new clothes and finery to a former dead wife in a small ceremony which is known by the name -"SAUKAN MAURA" - which literally means first wife's crown. The special sweet which is a "must" and is prepared in every Muslim house is Sheerkurma.