Religious fervour grip India on Eid

The first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the lunar Islamic calendar, is celebrated worldwide as Eid or ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’

Muslims all over the world are celebrating the festival of Eid. IN PHOTO: Muslims offer prayers at the Jama Masjid mosque, Delhi. (Photo | Naveen Kumar, EPS) 

Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, marks the revelation of Quran to Prophet Muhammad, and lasts between 29 and 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon. (Photo | Prasant Madugula, EPS)

The festival begins with devouts taking a bath or performing ablution to clean themselves and wearing their best attire before heading to mosques or open spaces called Eidgahs to offer mandatory congregational prayers known as Eid prayers. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS)

Worshippers offer Ramzan prayer at Chamarajpet in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS)

Special dishes are prepared and served to mark the occasion. (Photo | Annapoornisupriya G, EPS)

Muslims offer prayer at Islamiyah Matriculation Higher Secondary School ground in Coimbatore on Wednesday. (Photo | U Rakesh Kumar, EPS)

Worshippers offer Eid prayers at Presidency church ground in Chennai on Wednesday. (Photo | R Satish Babu, EPS)

The congregational Eid prayers are followed by a Khutba or sermon, in which the imams (prayer leaders) thank the Almighty for perseverance to observe fasting. (Photo | R Satish Babu, EPS)

Kids pose for a picture in Madurai. (Photo| K K Sundar, EPS)

Children greet each other after offering Eid prayers in Tiruchy. (Photo | M K Ashok Kumar, EPS)