India celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr today

On this day, amid mass prayers at mosques and with warm exchange of greetings, people are celebrating the day of festivity and joy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation by posting his message on the social media.

"Have a blessed Id-ul-Fitr," the PM wished on Twitter.

The occasion is auspicious for the community, who follows strict rules of Ramadan for a whole month until Eid, when the Muslims can go feasting and soaking in merriment.

Such is the grandeur of the occasion that people from other communities also join the fun and revelry.

On this day,  Muslims throng Eidgahs and mosques generally early in the morning and offer prayers.

The male members of the community then embrace each other to foster brotherhood and spread the message of love and unity.

The picture of celebration is reflected across the country in India.

In Delhi, thousands of devotees assemble at Jama Masjid in the morning to offer their prayers.

The historic mosque welcomes at least 20,000 people on Eid-ul-Fitr each year.

In Kolkata, the mood of celebrations are  seen across the city.

From offering prayer on the Red Road to visits to the mosques, the mood is upbeat everywhere.

The biggest religious festival of the Muslims is  equally celebrated in neighbouring Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Set up by Prophet Mohammed hundreds of years ago, Eid or Eid ul-Fitr is to celebrate two days by offering gratitude to the God while indulging in merriment and festal splendour.

It is a day of joy, celebration and  giving blessings.

The day generally culminates into stunning  aromas of special treats  that can be experienced in every nook and corner of the cities celebrating Eid.

The day begins early on Eid with Salatul Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer), and in keeping with the Sunnah (traditions and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), dental hygiene is taken care of, followed by shower (Ghusul), dressing up in new apparels (or the best available), and application of perfume.

Eid, on the last day of Ramadan month,  is all about breaking the fast and so a customary morning breakfast of dried fruits before the first prayer is followed by much extravagant delicacies.

Gifts are exchanged on Eid (called eidi in some cultures).

The shopping spree ahead of Eid is also quite common, especially among the youths  and the market places throughout the country were busy catering to the demand for newer clothes and jewellery.