Eid Ul Fitar or the festival of fast breaking is the biggest Muslim festival. Eid is derived from the Arabic word ‘oud’ or ‘the return’ to signify, well, the return of Eid each year.

The festival is significant as much for its timing as for its religious implications. It is celebrated after the fasting month of Ramzan (the ninth month of the Muslim year), on the first day of the Shavval month of the Hijri year (Muslim year). It is believed that the Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in the month of Ramzan.

105 million Muslims make India the second most populous Islamic nation in the world. They form India’s largest minority and constitute almost 12% of India’s total population. Islam is also the most recent religion added to India’s already potent cultural concoction. Islam came to India in the 12th century a.d. and opened a dialogue with Indian culture especially under the Mughals. Needless to say, it was a mutually enriching experience. A majority of India’s Muslims live in the north but a significant number are found all around the country. Hence their traditions add yet another dimension to the vast cultural landscape of India.

Eid Ul Fitr is the biggest Muslim festival

Eid is derived from the Arabic word ‘oud’ or ‘the return’ to signify, well, the return of Eid each year. The festival is significant as much for its timing as for its religious implications. It is celebrated after the fasting month of Ramzan (the ninth month of the Muslim year), on the first day of the Shavval month of the Hijri year (Muslim year). It is believed that the Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in the month of Ramzan.

Eid Festivals are famous religious festivals of Muslims. Eid is an Arabic word that means "festival" or "festivity". Eid Festivals consists of two Eids. One is called 'Eid-ul-Fitar' and the other is called 'Eid-ul-Adha'. Eid-ul-Fitar is celebrated on the Ist of Shawwal and Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Zilhajj. Muslims all over the world celebrate these Eids with fervor and religious zeal.

Eid-ul-Fitar - It is one of the two Eid festivals in the Islamic year. It's also referred to as the "Little" or "Small Feast". This holiday follows the month of Ramadan, falling on the first day of Shawwal. Eid ul-Fitar commemorates the end of the month of Ramadan. The whole Muslim community observes fast to the entire month of Ramadan. And Eid-ul-Fitar is the celebration of the end of the Ramadan. Fasting is forbidden on this day as it marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. The Eid day started with the Eid prayer and the Eid prayer is followed by the khutba. Muslims are encouraged to dress in their best clothes, new if possible. It is then customary to embrace the persons sitting on either side of you as well as your relatives, friends and acquaintances. People give gifts to their loved ones.

Eid-ul-Adha - Eid ul-Adha is second in the series of Eid festivals that Muslims celebrate. Eid ul-Adha is celebrated as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for Allah. On this day Muslims sacrifice animals which have been deemed Halaal, or fit for sacrifice. They not only eat the meat themselves but distribute it amongst their neighbors, relatives and the poor and hungry. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja, after Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.