Muslim Festivals in India

After Hinduism, Islam is the most followed religion in India . There are many Muslim festivals which are celebrated with great devotion and fervor. Muharram, Ramzan, Bakri Id and other Muslim festivals are celebrated in India . Muslim festivals are based on lunar calendar, Hijra. Muslim festivals do not correspond to any particular month of Roman calendar.

Muslim festivals are known for rich feasts and very tough fasts. All Muslim people are very particular about the religious laws and follow their rituals accordingly. During the festivals, people go for very extensive shopping and markets are full of variety of clothes, glittering jewelry, accessories, dry fruits and sweets. Many traditional dishes and delicacies are prepared at home and people invite their friends and relatives for sharing their happiness.

Another aspect of Muslim festivals is people worship God and offer sacrifices in any form. With each festival, different interesting legends are associated. Let us learn about few important Muslim festivals.

Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr is a very important and most eagerly awaited festival for Muslims. It is celebrated among Muslims with great fervor and gaiety, all over the world. This festival marks the end of Ramzan period. Ramzan is the holy period for Muslims and they observe fast for each day during this period. It is believed that holy Quoran was revealed in this period. According to Muslim calendar, Ramzan is the ninth month and Eid-ul-fitr falls on the new moon night of this month.

Bakra Eid

Bakr Eid is also a very important Muslim festival. This is the day of Sacrifice for them. It is believed that Prophet Ibrahim was asked by Allah in a dream, to sacrifice his son Ismail. It was the time to test prophet Ibrahim’s faith in his Allah.

Muharram

Muharram falls in the first month according to Muslim calendar. Muharram is observed on the tenth day of this month. Muharram is not a day of celebration rather it is a mourning day. This day commemorates the martyrdom of Hussain, Prophet’s grandson. On this day long processions are taken out with replicas of the martyr’s tomb, Taziah.

Barah Wafat

This unique kind of Muslim festival is an occasion of rejoicing and mourning at the same time. This is called Id-e-Milad. It was the day of birth and death of Prophet Mohammad. It is observed on the 12 th day of third month of Muslim calendar.