Muslims across Tiruchi and nearby districts celebrated Id-ul-Adha (also known as Bakrid), with piety and religious fervour on Thursday with special congregational prayers from 6 a.m. onwards to beat the heat.

At the Uzhavar Sandhai grounds in Tiruchi, a large number of worshippers gathered for the hour-long prayers that were held in segregated enclosures for men and women from 7 a.m.

“This year, the war in West Asia has caused many Indian expatriate families to relocate to Tiruchi for security reasons. So, we saw many more people at the festive prayers than usual,” said a city resident who participated in the prayers held at Roshan Mahal grounds in Cantonment.

Similarly, large crowds could be seen at the Idgah ground at Ponmalaipatti and other designated spots for congregational prayers on Thursday.

Minister for Labour Welfare and Skill Development J. Mohamed Farvas participated in congregational prayers held at the Idgah in Pudukottai on Thursday.

Over 10,000 worshippers gathered for prayers across 15 mosques in Nagore, and later visited the Nagore Andavar Dargah.

At least 700 persons offered prayers at the Attrangkarai Jumma Pallivasal in Thanjavur on Thursday.

Despite the inflationary trend of livestock prices, a significant number of Muslims sacrificed goats/sheep and cows (known as ‘qurbani’) on Thursday.

To spread the festive spirit, Muslim families shared the milk-based vermicelli dessert ‘Sheer Khorma’ with their neighbours and relatives.

Most homes prepared special festive breakfast and lunch menus that included rich dishes such as biryani, ‘vattalappam’, ‘paniyaram’ and liver chops accompanied by rice flour dough flatbreads.

“Sharing food is an important part of Bakrid as it reminds us to be mindful of the lesser privileged in our midst. We hope peace will return to the world soon, as this year has been full of turmoil due to the war in West Asia,” said a Muslim homemaker in Tiruchi.