KATHMANDU, JUNE 27

The government has declared a public holiday on Thursday on the occasion of Bakra Eid.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement today declaring June 29 as a public holiday across the country.

Eid al-Adha or Bakra Eid is also known as the "festival of sacrifice" as it commemorates the readiness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismael to prove his obedience to Allah. It is believed that God provided a lamb for sacrifice before this could happen. On Eid al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice an animal, generally a goat or a lamb, to prove their devotion and love for Allah.