Delhi celebrates Eid-ul-Azha

Eid-ul-Azha was today celebrated across the national capital with traditional fervour and gaiety.

Eid-ul-Azha was today celebrated across the national capital with traditional fervour and gaiety.

Thousands of Muslims thronged various mosques in the city, including Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri Masjid, to offer prayers and greeted 'Eid Mubarak' by hugging each other.

After the prayers, they sacrificed animals to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his only son, Ishmael, as an act of obedience to Allah.

The faithfuls dressed in traditional fineries then visited homes of their friends and relatives and exchanged gifts. They also distributed the meat of the sacrificed animals among friends, neighbours, relatives and the poor.

Eid-ul-Azha, also known as Bakr-Id, is celebrated by Muslims across the world as the festival of sacrifice, approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan, which is celebrated as Eid-ul-Fitr.

The festival comes a day after the devout participating in Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, descend from Mount Arafat.