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Besides Hinduism, India is also the
home of innumerable other faiths and the religious and cultural diversity
of this nation is manifested in the large number of non-Hindu festivals.
The sizeable Muslim communities have their Ids in common with Muslims
across the world. Idu'l Fitr, Idu'l Zuha and Id-i-Milad
are the three festive occasions widely celebrated by Muslims in India.
Id is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country, and one can
see Muslims of all age groups and from all stratas of society attired in
new clothes, visiting mosques to offer namaaz.
The tombs of many Sufi saints attract devotees of all religious
persuasions, especially during the urs or death anniversaries. The
best known urs are centred at tombs in towns like Ajmer, Delhi,
Manakpur, Nagore and Dongri.
Id-ul-Fitr (Ramzan Id)Coming with the new moon, this festival
marks the end of Ramzan, the ninth month of the Muslim year. It was during
this month that the holy Koran was revealed. Muslims keep a fast every day
during this month and on the completion of the period, which is decided by
the appearance of the new moon, Id-ul-Fitr is celebrated with great eclat.
Prayers are offered in mosques and Idgahs and elaborate festivities are
held.
Id-ul-Azha or Id-ul-Zuha (Bakr-Id)The Id-ul-Azha commemorates
the ordeal of Hazrat Ibrahim, who had been put to a terrible test by God
when he was asked to sacrifice whatever was dearest to him and he decided
to sacrifice the life of his son. As he was on the point of applying the
sword to his son's throat, it was revealed to him that this was meant only
to test his faith, and it was enough, if instead he sacrifices only a ram
in the name of Allah. This is celebrated on the tenth day of Zilhijja,
when the Haj celebrations at Mecca are rounded off by the sacrifice of
goats or camels. In India, too, goats and sheep are sacrificed all over
the country and prayers are offered.
Id-i-Milad (Barah-wafat) The Prophet was born on the twelfth day
of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Muslim year. His death
anniversary also falls on the same day, the word 'barah' standing for the
twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. During these days, sermons are
delivered in mosques by learned men, focussing on the life and noble deeds
of the Prophet.
In some parts of the country, a ceremony known as 'sandal 'rite is
performed over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet engraved in stone. A
representation of 'buraq', a horse on which the Prophet is believed to
have ascended to heaven , is kept near the footprints and anointed with
sandal paste or scented powder, and the house and casket containing these
are elaborately decorated. Elegies or 'marsiyas' are sung in memory of the
last days of the Prophet. The twelfth day or the Urs proper is observed
quietly, in prayers and alms-giving. |
