Eid-ul Azha, the Muslim festival marking the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, was today celebrated across Kashmir with traditional fervor and gaiety.
Dressed in their best, people thronged mosques, shrines and Eidgahs (prayer grounds) to offer special prayers early in the morning.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among the 35,000 people who offered prayers at the Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake here.
The biggest congregation was held at Jamia Masjid in old city where nearly 40,000 people offered prayers.
Similar large congregations were seen in all districts of Kashmir. Thousands of sheep and goats were sacrificed across the Valley after Eid prayers. The meat was then distributed among relatives, neighbours and the destitute. Children were a happy lot as they received Eidi (Eid money) from their elders.
Although the prayers passed off peacefully across the Valley, isolated incidents of stone pelting were reported.
A police driver was killed after he lost control over his bus and hit a pole at Palhalan area of Baramulla district following stone-pelting.
Officials said stone pelting incidents were also reported from Khanyar in the city, Baramulla town, Khanpora Bridge and Sopore town in north Kashmir.
