Eid Mubarak

Celebrating the end of 30 days of fasting

Applying henna, an old tradition on Eid-ul-Fitr. Image: Author’s own.

Eid-ul-Fitr, the festival of ‘breaking fast’ is the celebration marking the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting — a period of introspection, turning inward, reconnecting with the Divine and ourselves.

A period marked not just by exercising restraint and denying ourselves food and drink, but also by refraining from harsh words, harsh emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Call it an intensive spiritual training program- a mind-body-soul detox: practicing patience, removing unnecessary baggage, and trying to sweep the ego.

Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates the completion of this rigorous program, with festivities spread across three days… new clothes are worn, the women especially adorned with bangles and henna, visiting family and friends, exchanging gifts, and sharing meals together. Many special treats are prepared, such as the traditional ‘sawayaan’: In its most basic form, a dessert of vermicelli cooked with milk, cardamom, and sugar.

I always prepare ‘sawayaan’ to distribute to friends and neighbors. Author’s own photo.

Having recharged our spiritual batteries, we bid farewell to Ramadan for another year.