AGARTALA, October 6 (TIWN): Along with the nation Eid-ul-Azha or the festival of sacrifice was celebrated in Agartala on Monday as Muslims offered special prayers in Eidgahs and mosques and sacrificed animals. It is also known as Eid-ul-Zuha and Bakra Eid and is one of the important festivals in the Muslim calendar. Eid-ul-Azha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. Eid-ul-Azha symbolizes sacrifice, faith and devotion.

After special preparations, people along with their children proceed towards Eidgahs. Separate arrangements are made for women in Eidgahs and mosques. Special Eid sermons, highlighting the Sunnah of Prophet Abraham (PBUH) and the philosophy of sacrifice in Islam, are delivered before Eid prayers. These sermons also educate people how to sacrifice an animal and distribute its meat in three equal shares family, relatives and needy people. 

Special prayers are also offered for peace, prosperity, sovereignty and welfare of the people. The prayers are followed by Eid Milan, in which people embrace each other three times and exchange greetings in unique and rare style. Eid Milan continues during the three days of Eid with people meeting their family members, relatives and friends.

All the hub of Eid shopping remains jam-packed with people, with the teeming crowd moving from one extreme of the market to another. And even after finding that there is no inch of space to move, the shoppers refuse to give up and slowly negotiate their way to reach to their favourite shop.

The mosque and its surrounding streets of the city got packed with devotees who come from every corner of the city to offer their holy prayers. People got dressed in their best attires and come out on streets to celebrate the occasion. Traditional bakeries, confectioneries, snacks counters and restaurants serve lip-smacking dishes during the celebration.