Eid-Ul-Fitr !

The Muslim holiday marking the end of the fasting month Ramadan is called Eid-ul-Fitr.  Eid-ul-Fitr  is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal,the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. Following the lunar calendar this month is marked with the crescent view of the moon and then the festival of Eid is celebrated. Muslims celebrate Eid with pomp and grandeur,giving gifts to all the loved ones,distributing sweets and dry fruits. Homes and market places are decorated with lights and festoons. People start their preparations for the festival quite a few days before and these frenzied shopping and preparation continues till the last minute. On the eve before Eid,women and children get together to decorate their hands with henna or mehendi,they stay up late preparing food for the next day,the whole house becomes a hub of activity and excitement.
Those who fast during the Ramadan for the first time Eid holds a special importance for them. This generally happens in case of the children as Muslims start fasting from the age of seven years. They are rewarded by family and friends with gifts,extra attention and compliments for their achievement.
On this day people get up early at the morning,take bath,wear new clothes and go to the Mosque or the prayer ground for the prayer which is considered to be very holy and important. They pay Zakaat-al-Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid on Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid prayer is wajib means strongly recommended, just short of obligatory. It consists of two Rakaat with six or thirteen additional Takbirs. It must be offered in congregation. The prayer is followed by the Khutbah. After the Eid prayers people visit each other,exchange gifts,spend time socializing with extended family and community,visiting the sick and offering prayers for the deceased.