Prayer and feast mark Eid celebrations in Ranchi

RANCHI: Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan, was celebrated across Ranchi with fervour. With the sighting of the moon on Monday, the month-long tradition of 'roza' ended and the delightful faces were seen embracing each other outside the Jama Masjid, Iqra Masjid and the Ahle-Hadees Masjid after the morning prayer.
The streets of Ranchi were adorned with buntings and lightings on the occasion.People were seen feasting on sewainya (sweet vermicelli) and kheer (rice pudding) with friends and family.
Faisal Zishan, a second year management student said, "The celebrations begin as soon as the moon comes out in the evening. We go to eidgaah (prayer ground) and offer our prayers in the morning and keep the celebration alive all day-long". He added, "Delectable cuisine marks the essence of eid" and arrangements for fiesta are done in the evening with friends and family.
Karbala chowk in the city near Ahle-Hadees Masjid was brimming with activities and people were seen buying gifts for their loved ones. A fair has been arranged in the area on the occasion where women, dressed in colourful outfits, were putting mehendi on hands. The food stalls and the fun rides at the park perked up the festive mood of the old and young alike
Nagma (12) said, "I love coming to the mela every year with my family and I put on the mehndi on my palm and buy bangles from the mela stalls".
Amid the merriment, the security across were on strict vigil to thwart any untoward incident on this day. The traffic from Sujata Chowk to Firayalal Chowk was diverted as people gathered for the morning prayer.
SP (city) Anup Birthary said, "Arrangements were made to control the mob and vehicle movement on the road. We had received a joint order from the deputy commissioner of police and senior superintendent of police to intensify patrolling in the area".