KOLKATA: Eid was celebrated in West Bengal today with Muslims across the state offering special prayers at mosques and idgahs, exchanging greetings and participating in feasts with their near and dear ones.
Despite an overcast sky, hundreds of faithful turned up at the historic Nakhoda Masjid to offer prayers and exchange greetings with each other for the festival which marks the end of Ramzan, a month of fasting from dawn to sunset every day.
Besides greeting the people on this festive occasion, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined the Eid congregation in the city's sprawling Red Road which witnessed over 40,000 devotees offering namaaz.
In his message, Governor K N Tripathi called for celebrating the auspicious occasion with the spirit of togetherness.
Devotees hugged each other and wished 'Eid Mubarak', exchanged gifts and enjoyed special dishes, particularly 'sewayian' made of vermicelli, 'phirni' and varieties of biryani and kebabs.
Charity programmes were organised at many places where new clothes, food packets and gifts were distributed among the poor and needy.
Heavy security arrangements were made across the city and the districts to thwart any breach of peace.