KATHMANDU: Muslims across the country are celebrating Eid al-Fitr with religious gusto today.

Devotees observe the greatest festival of the Islamic community by reciting special Namaz, offering prayers in mosques, receiving blessings from elders and giving blessings to juniors, on the occasion.

On this public holiday, Muslims gather mainly in the mosque or any outdoor location early morning for prayers and break their fast feasting on delicacies.

The festival marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan during which Muslims observe a stringent dawn-to-dusk fast.

During the month-long festival, Muslims ask for forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance, ask for help in refraining from everyday evils and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

Eid al-Fitr began on June 14, in the evening, and will conclude tonight, this year.

Ramadan is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Mohammed. It is a time when Muslims around the world focus on prayer, fasting, giving to charity, and religious devotion.

Eid Mubarak from The Himalayan Times to all those observing this festival today!!