BAKRID

Also Known As : Id-Ul-Adha OR Id-Ul-Zuha Celebrated On : The Tenth day of the month Dhul Hijja. Religion : Muslim Significance : Offering of an animal

Bakrid is celebrated with ritualistic fervour in Andhra Pradesh and in particular, the old city of Hyderabad. Bakrid is an important festival of Muslims falling in the last month of Islamic Calendar. It is also called as Id-Ul-Zuha, which coincides with the Haj pilgrimage at Mecca. The significance of the festival is the commemoration of the ordeals of Prophet Ibrahim.

The Significance Significance of Id-Ul-Zuha or Bakrid lies in the offering of an animal in celebration of the festival Bakrid. As per the doctrine of Islam, sacrifice of animals signifies the sacrifice of the follower himself and his readiness to lay down his life, his interests and desires in the cause of the truth.

The Legend According to popular belief, Prophet Ibrahim was put to a tough test by Allah to prove his faith. He was asked to sacrifice his son Ismail and without any hesitation Prophet Ibrahim blindfolded himself and made the offering on the Mount of Mina near Mecca. When Prophet Ibrahim opened his eyes, he was astonished to find a goat lying upon the altar and his son Ismail standing in front of him. Ever since, followers of Islam all over the world offer sacrifices on the festival day.

On this day devout Muslims of all ages offer special prayers at mosques in the morning. Muslims sacrifice an animal - a goat or sheep, divide the meat into three portions and distribute it among poor, friends and relatives and whatever remains is for the family.