Eid al-Fitr Description
Eid al-Fitr (also spelled Eid ul-Fitr), known in India as Meethi Eid, marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. In 2026, Eid al-Fitr is provisionally expected around March 21st, subject to the sighting of the new crescent moon. It is a gazetted holiday across India, observed by the country's approximately 200 million Muslims — the third-largest Muslim population in the world. The day begins with special Eid prayers (Salat al-Eid) at mosques and open prayer grounds (Eidgahs) in the morning. Celebrations center on feasting after a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, with special dishes including biryani, sheer khurma (sweet vermicelli pudding), and kebabs. Children receive Eidi (gifts of money) from elders. The area around Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, the Charminar in Hyderabad, and Mohammed Ali Road in Mumbai become especially vibrant with food stalls and festivities. Government offices, banks, post offices, and schools are closed nationwide. In Muslim-majority areas like parts of Old Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Srinagar, and Kozhikode, most businesses close or operate reduced hours. The exact date may vary by one day depending on moon sighting — official holiday notices are typically confirmed the night before.
