India celebrates Eid-Ul-Fitr today

People offered prayers and exchanged gifts with their friends and loved ones on this special day of importance.

The occasion is auspicious for the community, who follows strict rules of Ramzan 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.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

"Greetings to all my fellow citizens, particularly my Muslim brothers & sisters, in India & abroad on Idu’l Fitr #PresidentMukherjee," the President's tweet read.

"May this occasion bring happiness, peace & prosperity & be an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to serve humanity #PresidentMukherjee," he said in a following tweet.

"May this day, strengthen in each one of us, an unflinching faith in our unity and common destiny #PresidentMukherjee," President Mukherjee added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Eid-ul-Fitr greetings! May this auspicious day further the spirit of peace and brotherhood in our society."

Meanwhile, celebrities and politicians also joined the nation in wishing Eid Mubarak on social media.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tweeted: "#Id-ul-Fitr Greetings."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: "ঈদ মোবারক #EidMubarak."

Actress Shabana Azmi tweeted: "Eid Mubarak sabko.Bring on d Biryani and d Sheer Qorma.Its the official Gluttony Day.If you don't pass out with Food Qorma tto Eid nahi hui."

Actress Dia Mirza posted: "Today Muslims across the world celebrate empathy, charity, patience, humility, peace and brotherhood! #EidMubarak to all ."

Politician Omar Abdullah wished the nation as he greeted: "Eid Mubarak to all of you #EidulFitr ."

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.

Culinary delights of the greatest Islamic festival are also legendary and dishes like the “shemai” or "sewayan" (toasted sweet vermicelli noodles) or the famous “Hyderabadi haleem” (a type of meat stew) becomes the most relished one.