Eid al-Fitr is one of the most celebrated holidays for the world's 1.5 billion Muslims and traditionally a time for family and festivities. Falling on the first day of the month of Shawwal, the festival traditionally lasts one to three days and is eagerly anticipated after the month of fasting.

During Ramadan, the faithful refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or sexual activity from dawn to dusk is practiced among the Islamic communities.

It is widely believed that Prophet Muhammad got the first revelation of the holy book Quran during the month of Ramadan. Also celebrated as Choti Eid, people on this day pay respect to Allah for providing strength and endurance during the month-long fasting rituals.

With the outbreak of contagious Coronavirus, all the religious places are forced to remain shut in order to avoid social gatherings. Owing to the lockdown, Eid celebrations this years are likely to be different as Muslims won’t be able to visit Mosques, which usually holds special prayers at sunrise.

Lakhs of Muslims throng mosques and eidgahs across the world to offer prayers and exchange greetings by saying “Eid Mubarak”, which means “have a blessed Eid”.  In several households, a feast is prepared as members of the family gather to partake in it and children are often given gifts or a special allowance on Eid-ul-Fitr.

Start of the holiday varies from country to country with splits even within the same country because the start of Eid is traditionally based on sightings of the new moon. This year, Eid-ul-Fitr in India will begin on 23 May, Saturday and continue till 24 May, Sunday evening.