Bakra Eid: The Second Major Festival of Muslims Celebrated Today

Bakra Eid (Eid al-Adha), the second biggest festival of Muslims, is being celebrated today in mosques across the country. According to Islamic tradition, this festival is observed on the 70th day after Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan festival).

On this occasion, Muslim devotees take a bath early in the morning and go to nearby mosques or Eidgahs to offer special prayers (Namaz) in groups. After the prayers, they greet each other with best wishes.

In Kathmandu, large crowds of worshippers gathered at Nepali Jame Mosque in Durbar Marg, Kashmiri Mosque, and other mosques and Eidgahs around the country.

The festival commemorates the event that took place 1,440 years ago in the Hijri calendar, when Prophet Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail (A.S.) as an act of obedience to Allah. On this occasion, it is considered auspicious to visit Mecca and Medina. Those who cannot go there celebrate the festival at home.

Muslims observe Bakra Eid for three days, starting from today till Monday.

The government has also declared a public holiday on the occasion of Bakra Eid.