Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated with namaz, zakat and sewaiyan

VARANASI: The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr commenced with special namaj at all the mosques and Eidgahs of the holy city on Saturday morning and continued to Sunday.
Muslims started congregating at mosques and Eidgah grounds since morning on Saturday to offer special namaz. The district administration and police ensured tight security arrangements and traffic diversions were ensured on many routes for Eid namaz.
The congregation of namazis, clad in white kurta-pyjamas and traditional skull caps, were seen at Masjid Gyanvapi, Lagda Hafiz (Nai Sadak), Jama Masjid in Nadesar, Rewadi talab, Bajardiha, Madanpura, Ashfaq Nagar, Laat Saraiya, Pul Kohna, Kuchehri, Police Lines, Orderly Bazaar, Doshipura, Bhelupur, Mukimganj and several other places.
After the prayers, Muslims hugged each other and exchanged Eid greetings. The kids were the most elated as they were Eidi by their parents and elders. Other mosques situated in rural pockets including Sewapuri, Mirzamurad, Badagaon, Danganj, Kachwa Road and Chaubeypur also wore a festive look witnessing milling crowd of Namazis.
Prior to this, several Muslims donated a portion of their savings as zakat-al-fitr, to help poor, needy and underprivileged, on the occasion of Eid. According to custom, before going for their Eid prayers, Muslims are supposed to offer fitra or donation to the poor. Several delicacies including Sheer Khurma, a milk-based sewain (vermicelli) with dry fruits and dates, lacchhaas and Banarasi sewain were prepared and served to relatives and friends.
Later in evening, open recreational spots like parks including Shaheed park, Nehru park, Ravidas park, prominent ghats including Dashaswamedh, Assi and Sarnath area as well as malls were abuzz with Muslims enjoying themselves, making purchases and watching movies.
Notably, after the moon was sighted on Friday night, people started extending Eid greetings to their relatives, family members, friends and neighbours.