Eid-ul Azha, the Muslim festival marking the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, was today celebrated across Kashmir with members of the community offering prayers.
Dressed in their best, Muslims - men and women - of all ages made a beeline to eidgahs (prayer grounds) to offer special prayer in the morning.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, his predecessor Omar Abdullah, former Union minister Farooq Abdullah joined thousand of devotees to offer prayers at Syed Yaqoob Shah Shrine at Sonawar here.
The biggest congregation was held at Eidgah in the old city followed by Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the famous Dal Lake.
Similar large congregations were reported from all districts of Kashmir Valley.
Thousands of sheep and goats were sacrificed across the valley after the prayer. The meat was then distributed among relatives, neighbours and the destitute.
Children were a happy lot as they got 'Eidi' (Eid donation) from their elders and then, wearing fancy dresses, made their ways to garden and parks after the prayers. Youths burst cracker to celebrate the occasion.
However, people faced difficulties in greeting their loved ones and friends as Internet services were snapped across Kashmir Valley fearing misuse by anti-social elements.
The directive by police to all service providers, on the eve of Eid, came amid fear of communal tension in the backdrop of a high court order for implementation of an old law that bans slaughter and selling of beef. Some separatist groups had said they would defy the court order.
