JOIN USPrayers and piety, followed by feasting on a sumptuous spread of delicacies, marked the happy festival of Id-Ul-Fitr in City on Tuesday.
Prayers were held from 7 am to 11 am at several places, including Chamarajpet Idgah Maidan, Mysore Road grounds, Bannerghatta Road and Abdul Khuddus Saheb Idgah grounds, where the devout, along with children wearing the traditional taqiyahs and dressed in their finery, offered prayers, thereafter exchanging greetings and gifts.
The largest gathering of devouts was at the Masjid-e-Idgah Bilal on Bannerghatta Road.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy joined the prayers and exchanged greetings.
At the Masjid-e-Khadaria on Miller’s Road, Information Minister Roshan Baig and veteran Congress leader C K Jaffer Sharief led the congregation in prayers.
Though the moon could not be sighted in Bangalore due to a cloudy sky on Monday evening, the Moon Sighting Committee chairman Khadir Ahmed Ada-ul Ameedi declared that the festival would be celebrated on Tuesday.
The City’s premier Russell Market, Commercial Street, Shivaji Nagar and several parts of Bangalore wore a festive look, where special stalls for Id delicacies and other edibles and wares were put up.
Shopkeepers at Russell Market and Commercial Street did brisk business throughout the day.
A festive atmosphere prevailed across the City, with people from all walks of life wishing each other and exchanging gifts, including special food prepared at home, dry fruits, sweets, etc.
People were seen savouring sumptuous food, including dum biryani, meat dishes, haleem, phirni, shahi tukda, almond kheer, vermicelli and faluda at various places, thoroughly soaking in the spirit of the festival.
Elaborate security arrangements were made at various places, including the sensitive JC Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Tannery Raod, Nagawara and Bannerghatta Road areas.