SHILLONG, July 18 - India�s religious diversity was in full bloom today as Hindus celebrated the beginning of Lord Jagannath�s Rath Yatra, while Muslims marked the end of Ramadan and joyously celebrated Idd-ul-Fitre.
Clad in their best attires, thousands of Muslims offered prayers at the local mosques here and later greeted each other on the joyous occasion of Idd-ul-Fitre.
At the Madina Masjid at Laban here, known as the glass mosque, close to 9,000 Muslims faithfuls offered their prayers at the Iddgah. Namaz-e-Idd was also offered in different mosques spread across the State.
The observation of Ramadan or Ramazan marks the anniversary of the Quran being revealed to Prophet Mohammed. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Idd-ul-Fitre translates into �the festival of fast breaking.�
During Idd, people meet each other�s families and friends and lavish feast, which includes sweets, are served. Muslims also give out iddis or gifts to children during the occasion.
On the other hand, Lord Jagannath, an avatar of Lord Krishna and his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra embarked on a colourful Rath (chariot) for a visit to their aunt�s place, symbolised in a trip from Jail Road to Thana Road here.
Hindu faithfuls, dressed in traditional attires, pulled the chariot while singing hymns, dancing and distributing sweets and fruits to people.
The deities would be staying at the Mausi Maa�s (aunt) temple at Jail road for nine days, as per tradition, before returning in another Rath Yatra to the main temple at Thana Road.
