Muslims in Pak-India observe all the Islamic festivals that
are celebrated in other parts of the world. In addition to the festivals, the
days commemorating shrines in India and death anniversaries of saints, are
also observed with religious fervor. All the Muslim festivals and observances
in India follow the Islamic calendar, which has fewer days than the solar
year. Therefore, each year, the dates of Muslim festivals keep changing. The
important Muslim festivals that are celebrated in India, include Ramzan
(Ramadan), Muharram, Id-e-Milad and Bakr-Id. The celebrations of the
auspicious occasions are marked by special prayers offered in mosques,
fasting, feasting and exchange of wishes.
The most important Muslim festival in India is Ramzan, which extends through
the Islamic month of the same name. It acquires the character of a nationwide
fair, with the Muslim areas becoming bright and lively towards the evening and
remaining awake almost throughout the night. All through the days of
celebrations, people following Islam would observe stringent fast, which is
broken only in the dusk, after offering prayers to the Almighty. There is a
fixed timing for every ritual performed for the festivals. People belonging to
other communities enthusiastically take part in the merrymaking, which
represents unity in diversity prevalent in India.
All the prominent Muslim festivals are celebrated with religious fervor, in
India. Ramzan finds special place in the calendar of events. Holiday is
declared in educational institutions and government offices, on the occasion
of Ramadan. Bakra-Eid is the 'feast of sacrifice', celebrated from the tenth
to the twelfth day in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. Celebrated after the
fasting month of Ramzan, Ramadan encompasses a number of rituals that are
performed on specific time. Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Prophet
Mohammed's grandson, Imam Hussain. Go through our related section to know more
about Muslim festivals celebrated in India.
