Post blast, Ajmer scales down Eid ul-Fitr celebrations

While Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated with religious fervour across the country today, it was a low-key affair in Ajmer, which is still trying to overcome the shock of Thursdays blast at the historic dargah.

Ajmer/Agra/Jammu, Oct 14: While Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated with religious fervour across the country today, it was a low-key affair in Ajmer, which is still trying to overcome the shock of Thursday's blast at the historic dargah.

A blast occurred at the Sufi shrine of Khwaja Mohiuddin Chisti in Ajmer when people were readying themselves to break their daylong fast that is observed during Ramzan. Two people were killed and 17 others were injured in the blast.

Muslims in Ajmer said that they would not celebrate Eid, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramzan, but would simply offer prayers.

"In a very simple manner, we are just offering 'namaz' (prayers) and there will be no celebrations because of the blast," said Rehmanul Chisti, spokesperson of the shrine committee in Ajmer.

Meanwhile, in Agra, Muslims gathered to offer prayers at the Taj Mahal amid tight security.

"Today around 8-10 thousand people offered 'namaz' (prayers). Internal security of the Taj Mahal was taken care of to avoid any untoward incident," said Mukesh, District Collector of Agra.

Muslims in Jammu flocked to mosques to offer prayers.

Several security personnel were placed at the mosques to avoid any untoward incident during the festivities.

Celebrations started after confirmation was received on the beginning of the month of Shawwal.

Muslims in Delhi flocked at the popular shrine 'Jama Masjid' to offer Eid prayers.

As is customary, Muslims embraced each other and exchanged Eid greetings after the prayers.

The scene was no different at mosques in Mumbai and Kolkata where devotees came together to pray.

Muslims in Kerala and some other parts of the country celebrated the festival on Saturday, and gathered in mosques and specially set up 'Idgahs' to offer namaz.

Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the last day of the holy month of Ramzan during which devout Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.

ANI