Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in Delhi and Kolkata

New Delhi, July 29 - Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated in the national capital Tuesday as Muslims marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Tens of thousands of Muslims thronged mosques in the morning and offered prayers. They also hugged one another wishing everyone Eid Mubarak. People prayed for peace and progress in the country and in their personal lives, Maulana Mufti Mukarram, the Naib Imam of the 17th century Fatehpuri mosque, told IANS. After prayers, people feasted on delicacies like 'sewainya' (sweet vermicelli) and akheer' (sweet rice pudding) besides visiting friends and relatives. Moin Shadab, a resident of Old Delhi, said: After offering namaz, we indulged in shopping or meeting relatives for an elaborate lunch. According to Ayehsa Khanum, a resident of Okhla in south Delhi, Tuesday's delicacies included mutton, lamb and chicken dishes. Korma, kebabs and biryani will be prepared in the evening as we have invited some friends and relatives over for dinner, she said. Kolkata, July 29 - Dressed in their festive best, Muslims across Kolkata gathered at the city's principal mosque, Nakhoda Masjid, since early Tuesday morning to offer prayers and greet one another on Eid-ul-Fitr. The festival marked the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Greetings of Eid Mubarak and Chaand Mubarak poured in with the sighting of the thin crescent Shawaal moon Monday evening. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted greetings on her official Facebook page. At the mosque, Muslims hugged one another ignoring class differences. Many of those settled abroad made it a point to return to Kolkata to celebrate Eid with their family members. The sprawling Red Road in Kolkata saw over 42,000 devotees sitting on rugs and offering prayer. The mass prayers were followed by day-long merry-making, a large part of which revolves around feasts. Mughlai cuisine, including varieties of biryanis, kebabs, fresh fruits and home-made desserts, were seen on every platter. The festival is an all-inclusive affair in Kolkata where people from other faiths also take part in the celebrations. Fairs and cultural programmes were organised in different pockets of the city where children donning traditional attires were seen revelling in festive spirits. Women gathered around at henna stalls to adorn themselves with the art while children received money from their elders as gift.