Eid-ul-Azha or Bakrid is being celebrated in different parts of the country today. In Uttar Pradesh, the festival of Eidul Adaha or Baqrid was celebrated in the most peaceful manner? with religious fervor and gaiety today. The administration had made elaborate security arrangements with more focus on sensitive areas. Starting from early morning people visited mosques and other areas marked out for the congregation to offer special Eid Namaz. Later they began the ritual of offering Qurbani.<br/> <br/>AIR correspondent reports that the day was abuzz with Qurbani activities in Muslim dominant areas of Lucknow and other places. In the special Namaz offered earlier today, people prayed for the peace and prosperity of the country and the fellow citizens. Heartwarming scenes were galore on this pious occasion as Hindus reached out to extend good wishes to their Muslim brothers breaking the barriers of religion and faith. They hugged each other and were offered the best of the dishes especially prepared for the occasion. <br/><br/>Whereas the ritual of Qurbani will continue till Thursday evening.<br/> Madhya Pradesh celebrates the festival of sacrifice IdulZuha iswith religious fervour and communal harmony across. Faithfuls thronged Idgahs and main mosques to offer special Eid prayers this morning. In capital Bhopal, main congregations were held at Idgah, Tajul Masajid, Moti Masjid and Jama Masjid. After namaz, members of other communities greeted their Muslim brethren and exchanged greetings with them. During their sermons, religious leaders appealed Muslims to take proper care of sentiments of others while performing ritual of qurbani. <br/><br/>The festival of Eid Al-Adha or Bakri Eid was celebrated with traditional fervour and joy in Mumbai and across rest of Maharashtra. The second most important day in the Islamic calendar was marked by special prayers followed by the ceremony to sacrifice goats. AIR correspondent reports that lakhs of Muslims in Mumbai and across Maharashtra marked the festival of Eid-ul-Adha by offering special prayers at mosques and open grounds. The prayers were followed by the sacrifice ceremony and the sharing of biryani and keema that are specially prepared on this occasion. This year, Deonar abattoir recorded a sale of atleast 1.4 lakh goats with the price range starting from Rs. 15,000. <br/><br/>Coinciding with the ongoing 11-day Ganeshotsav celebrations, Mumbai Police had made elaborate security and traffic arrangements to ensure that both the festivals pass off without disturbing each other. Meanwhile, a Bombay High Court order allowing residents to slaughter goats inside their building premises came as relief to many. The court said they cannot restrain the authorities to stop issuing licences for slaughtering animals on Bakr Eid as people have a right to practice their religion. The court, however directed that the goats should be sacrificed on the terrace and asked the licence holders to strictly follow the conditions.

Eid-ul-Azha or Bakrid is being celebrated in different parts of the country today. Special prayers will be held in Mosques and Eidgahs. In Delhi, main Eid congregations will be held at Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri mosque and Shahi Eidgah. President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari have greeted the people on the occasion.<br/><br/>In Uttar Pradesh, elaborate security arrangements have been made near Eidgahs and main mosques where people are offering special Namaz. Traffic diversions have also been effected in major cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Meerut, Allahabad, Varanasi and Bareilly to facilitate Namaz. AIR correspondent reports that in the state capital Lucknow, people reached at Eidgah Aishbagh, Teeley-wali Masjid, Asifi Masjid and other Juma mosques to offer special Iduzzuha Namaz. Places have been earmarked to carry out the ritual of Qurbani in every city and town. <br/><br/>In Madhya Pradesh, special Eid prayers are being held at about two dozen mosques in capital Bhopal. AIR Bhopal correspondent reports that in Bhopal special Eidul Zuha prayer first offered at the Eidgah at 7.30 this morning, where Shahar Qazi Mushtaq Nadvi led the congregation. Temporary slaughter houses have been built in Bhopal at several places for qurbani.