Eid ul-Adha is a prominent festival in Islam that describes Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in order to follow the command of Allah, and was celebrated on 29 June in India.
Published Jun 30, 2023 | 2:45 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 30, 2023 | 2:46 AM
While strolling the streets of Hyderabad’s Old City on Bakrid, you will find several shops and vendors roasting heads and feet of goats and lambs on barbeque grills.
It is the consumers who bring these to them on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the ‘festival of sacrifice’ from their homes.
“Some people like heads, while others are fond of eating the paya (prepared from the feet). Some even like the jaws of goats and lambs. Earlier, they used to be sold at specific places, but now it happens all across the Old City,” Ibrahim Baig, a resident of Banjara Hills in Hyderabad, told South First.
Hundreds like Baig thronged these makeshift open-air outlets waiting for their turn to get a taste of their favourite mutton delicacies on Bakrid.
A head and the legs of a goat or a lamb were being roasted at ₹100. The cost varied depending on the size of the cuts of the animals that are traditionally kept as livestock.
Eid ul-Adha is a prominent festival in Islam that describes Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in order to follow the command of Allah. This way is showed his dedication towards Allah.
Eid-ul-Adha 2023 at Charminar. (Ajay Tomar/South First)
It is believed that he was tempted by the devil to do so, but such was his dedication towards Allah that nobody was able to stop him from sacrificing his son.
However, after seeing his dedication, Allah sent a sheep to sacrifice instead his son.
“People wake up at 4:30 am and start Fazar prayer around 5 am. After that, they take a bath and wear new clothes. The poor people who cannot afford new clothes wear tidy clothes and go to the mosque for Eid prayers. The timing of the prayers varies according to each mosque. It is usually between 6 am and 8 am. After that, butchers prepare the meat of goats and sheep outside the mosque and give it to people,” Sayeed Al-Jabri, a resident of Hyderabad, explained to South First.
He added that people then distribute the meat to neighbours and the needy, with some amount set apart for themselves.
Mohabbat-ka-sharbat near Charminar on Eid-ul-Adha 2023. (Ajay Tomar/South First)
The festivities of Bakrid were not limited to enjoying traditional dishes in Huderabad. There was more to it.
Hundreds could be seen touring the city’s popular landmarks such as Mecca Masjid and Charminar, clicking photos.
Several were seen shopping at the market around Charminar.
Items such as sunglasses, pearl necklaces, and clothes were on sale.
Many people were also enjoying local beverages such as Mohabbat-ka-sharbat, a popular summer drink.
Several youngsters were seen donning new kurtas, sherwaanis, and suits.
The evening rain splash did not bring down their spirits as the celebrations continued.
Most of those who roasted lambs and goats could be easily spotted by their attire. Many Telugu-speaking daily-wagers — mostly women — turned food vendors on Bakrid.
“As it is a holiday, no other work is available today. We divided ourselves into groups and grilled the heads, jaws, and feet. However, the income has decreased from the previous years. We make around ₹5,000-6,000 at the end of the day,” P Ramanna, a daily-wager from Khammam, told South First.
Animal skin collected (left), and lambs and goats roasted on barbeque grill in Hyderabad on Bakrid 2023. (Rehaan Chandy/South First)
He worked with two other vendors at his makeshift shop surrounded by several other similar outlets at Red Hills in Hyderabad.
Another eye-catching scene would be the skins of lambs and goats kept in bulk along the streets.
Residents across the city dump the skin of the goats, which is then used for making leather products, at these places.
The collectors, in turn, transport these animal hides to several warehouses in Musheerabad, Jiyaguda, Chengicherla, and other such places.
However, several of them expressed their plight to South First, claiming that the prices of the goat and sheep skins had dropped drastically — from around ₹200-250 a few years ago to ₹10-20 now.
Bakrid was celebrated with zeal not just in Hyderabad but all across South India.
For example, hundreds gathered at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada to celebrate Eid ul-Adha.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu extended Bakrid greetings to Muslims.
In Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly took part in special prayers alongside state Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan at the Eidgah Maidan at Chamarajpet in Bengaluru.
In the coastal Karnataka, Kalyana Karnataka, and Kittur Karnataka regions as well as Old Mysuru, Eid ul-Adha was celebrated with fervour. Special prayers were offered in mosques in Udupi, Mangaluru, and Kasaragod.
Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader took part in the mass prayer and later greeted people.
Visuals of Eid celebrations from
Bavutagudde Eidgah Masjid in Mangaluru , Dakshina Kannada District. #EidMubarak #EidAlAdha pic.twitter.com/p1OfGv7PFI— UT Khader (@utkhader) June 29, 2023
Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, state Congress president and MP A Revanth Reddy, and several other leaders congratulated people on Bakrid.
“I extend my heartfelt wishes and greetings on the auspicious occasion of Bakrid festival. Wishing all the Muslims of Telangana a blessed Bakrid (Eid Ul Adha) with happiness, peace and good health! [sic]” the Governor said in a message.
May this special occasion bring peace, joy, good health and prosperity to everyone.
Bakrid symbolises sacrifice and supreme devotion.
Wishing you all a blissful Eid-Ul-Adha.#Bakrid2023#EidAlAdha2023 pic.twitter.com/siF6woW4tN— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@DrTamilisai4BJP) June 28, 2023
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also greeted people of the Muslim community on the eve of Eid ul-Adha or Bakrid.
In his message, Khan said the celebration glorifies sacrifice and perpetual faith in the almighty.
“My heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Kerala and other Keralites all over the world on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Ad’ha [sic],” Khan said.
On #EidAlAdha ,Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan offered prayers at the Beemapally Dargah Shareef in Thiruvananthapuram, where Chief Imam Syed Najmuddin Pukoya Thangal led the prayers #EidMubarak : PRO KeralaRajBhavan pic.twitter.com/Dr8g9gUQpU
— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) June 29, 2023
Vijayan noted that the occasion of Eid inspires people to maintain Kerala as a land of brotherhood and religious harmony.
Imam VP Suhaib Moulavi led the namaz at the famed Palayam Juma Masjid in Thiruvananthapuram.
He noted that the Muslim community’s opposition to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was part of their belief.
He said the UCC would pose difficulties for them to lead a life as per the principles of the Sharia (Islam’s legal system).
The Imam requested the Union government to withdraw its plans to implement the UCC as it would be a violation of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
