Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan or Ramzan. The entire month is marked by fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad, as per Islamic belief. The festivities occur in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the annual ceremony is considered as one of the five pillars of Islam. Eid begins only after the crescent moon is sighted. This year, Eid is expected to fall on May 23.
Eid is a way of paying respect and thanking Allah for giving one strength and endurance to observe the month-long fast. Eid ul-Fitr falls on the first day of the month of shawwal, which is the only day in that month when Muslims do not need to fast. Muslims all over the world participate in this festival with prayers, which is followed by sermon after the dawn breaks. On this day, devotees don new clothes, wish their near and dear ones, exchange greeting, and distribute sweets as a part of the celebration.
On Eid al Fitr, children also receive Eidi from their elders, which means they get money from them. Eid al Fitr concludes with Muslims savouring rich and scrumptious dishes. It involves Biryani, Haleeb, kebabs, desserts including Seviyaan, among other things. Many Muslims also recite the takbir, which is the declaration of faith, on their way to the prayer ground and take part in zakat al-fitr (charitable contributions.