Eid al-Adha – A Popular Festival Depicting Sacrifice and Everlasting Happiness

Falling on the 10th day of Dhu’l Hijjah, Eid al-Adha is also referred as the festival of sacrifice. It marks the end of Haji pilgrimage and the date of celebration is decided as per the new moon sighting. As Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycle, the celebration date changes every next year. The local religious authorities have the duty to decide the exact date due to the variation in new moon sighting in different countries across the globe. In India, Eid al-Adha was celebrated on Aug 22.

There is a huge misconception between “Eid al-Adha” and “Eid al-Fitr” in many parts of the world; while the former is a festival comprising animal sacrifice, no such activity is done in the latter case. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of auspicious Ramadan and marks the end of the fasts observed during this auspicious month. However, what’s common in both these festivals is the sheer pleasure they bring along.

On Eid al-Adha, animals like goat, sheep etc. are sacrificed as a display of human love & devotion for Allah. It’s believed that none should be hungry on this auspicious day and so the feast prepared from sacrificial animal is also distributed to the poor after retaining a portion for family, friends and neighbours.

A host of delicacies are prepared including Mutton Biryani, Sheer Khurma, Kebabs, Chicken Korma and more. Family members sit together to feast on these delicacies and collectively celebrate the auspicious festival in real spirit. On this day, Eid prayers are observed in social gatherings and people are also seen happily handing-over gifts to their loved ones. Eid al-Adha indeed is a time in the year for authentic celebration and everlasting enjoyment for everyone.