(Image source from: Freepressjournal.in)
History and Significance of Bakrid:- Bakrid happens to be one of the most auspicious festivals for Muslims and it is celebrated by their families with fanfare. Bakrid comes two months after Eid-ul-Fitr which arrives in the month of Ramzan and Bakrid is the second most important festival. It marks the sacrifice of the cattle such as sheep, goats, camels and buffalo. The day is also called as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban or Qurban Bayarami. This year it is celebrated on July 21st. As per Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind, the crescent moon is sighted on July 11th and Bakrid falls on July 21st. It is celebrated a day earlier in Saudi Arabia which is on July 20th. Eid al-Adha is celebrated globally for three days.
As per the history, Prophet Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son Ismail when God asked to sacrifice a thing that is dearest to him. God was pleased with the readiness of Abraham and he replaced the boy with a ram. In honor to this, Eid al-Adha is celebrated for three days. God is said to have provided a male goat to Abraham for his sacrifice. Bakrid also marks the end of Hajj, the pilgrimage that Muslims visit the Grand Mosque in Mecca located in Saudi Arabia. The annual Hajj program enters into the last phase when Muslims gather in large numbers to offer a day-long prayer from Quran. All the pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat which is located 15 km from Mecca.