Bakra Eid 2020
The festival Bakra Eid or Bakri Eid is one of the most important Muslim festivals. It has great religious significance and is an occasion of sacrifice. It is also known as Id-Ul-Zuha or Id-Ul-Zuha which means - feast of Sacrifice.
Bakr-id is celebrated in Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. It is celebrated for three days; from tenth to twelfth day of this month. On this day, animal sacrifice is performed by killing it and the meat is distributed among the poor and needy people.
Bakra Eid in India : Traditionally, Bakra Eid is a Muslim festival and declared as a Central Government Holiday or Gazetted Holiday in India. The festival Bakra Eid specially celebrates in those state where Muslim community live mainly like Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Kerala. Celebration Day:
On 2017: 1st September, 2017 (Friday)
On 2018: 21st August, 2018 (Tuesday)
On 2019: 12th August, 2019 (Monday)
On 2020: 31st July, 2020 (Friday)
On 2021: 20th July, 2021 (Tuesday)
Story behind Bakri Id
According to Islamic tradition, once, the God Allah challenged Prophet Ibrahim to prove his faith on him. So, the God Allah asked him to sacrifice his dearest son Ismail. Prophet Ibrahim loved towards his son was as strong as his faith in God Allah.
It was too pathetic to slaying his own child in his own hand. But he could not deny the order of Allah. He closed his eyes and raised a sharp sword. Reciting Allah's name he divided the head from the body.
He opened his eyes and could not believe on his senses. His son Ismail was standing alive in front of his eyes and he saw a dead lamb lying in the pool of blood. Then he understood that god wished to test his willingness to sacrifice his beloved object.
Rituals of Bakra-Id
Muslims sacrifice animals (goat, ox, lamp, sheep, camel or cow) on this day and pilgrims to Mount Mina, near Mecca. The day of Bakr-Id also coincides with the occasion of completion of Koran.
According to Muslim rituals, any Muslim, who have enough money two square meals a day or possesses more than 400 gm of gold, should make a animal sacrifice. It is performed any of three days of festivities but before afternoon of third day.
Meat is divided in three parts; one is kept for self, other for friends and third for needy ones. On this day they wear new clothes and prepare other delicacies of Eid and share with their friends and relatives.
The festival Bakra-Id is celebrated all over India with much enthusiasm and pleasure. The celebrations are carried on through three days and they share meat into three equal parts among the family, friends and neighbors and deprived people.
Muslims visit houses of their near and dear ones on this festival to celebrate the festival. Delicious food and beverages are cooked and served on this festival to people who visit any Muslims house. That why this occasion is referred to as the "feast of sacrifice".