EID-UL-FITR OR RAMAZAN
Eid-ul-Fitr is the most festive occasion in the Islamic world. It comes at the end of the holy month of Ramadan (Ramazan), which is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. It is the culmination of a month-long period of fasting, when every adult Muslim forgoes food, water and other eatables from before sunrise till sunset, as has been ordained by the Shariat or the Divine Law. It is known as 'Eid-ul-Fitr', because every Muslim is expected to give 'Fitrah', which is a sort of charity or alms, on behalf of himself and his family. Muslims believe that the holy Quran was revealed on one of the odd nights (Taaq Raats) of the last ten days of Ramazan. Historically speaking, the month of Ramazan is associated with two important victories of Prophet Muhammad - the battle of Badr and the conquest of Makkah.
Eid is celebrated on the day following the appearance of the New Moon at the end of Ramazan. The most important part in Eid celebration is the community prayer, generally said in open places called the Idgahs. After the prayers people embrace themselves and thereafter visit friends and relatives to wish Eid Mubarak. In India, Muslims in the Northern states prepare sweet delicacies like halwa, sewiyan and Sheer Khorma, paniyaram, seedai and adarsham. This festival is a merry occasion for young boys and girls, who dress themselves up in their colourful costumes and receive "Idi" or Eid-tips from their guardians and relatives.
