Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukhejee greets nation on Eid-ul-Fitr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday greeted fellow citizens on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

"Greetings on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this auspicious day strengthen the bond of peace, unity and brotherhood across our Nation," said Modi.

The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated across the country today, with prayers being offered at various historical mosques like the Jama Masjid.

In his message to the people, Mukherjee said, "On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I extend warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens, particularly to my Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad."

The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated across the country today, with prayers being offered at various historical mosques like the Jama Masjid.

"As we celebrate this day which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan, I hope that the festival with its tradition of giving and sharing enriches our lives with a spirit of brotherhood and empathy for the deprived," Mukherjee added.

Eid-ul-fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramdan. Ramadan is the ninth of 12 months in the Islamic calendar. The month honours the Angel Gabriel's revelation of the Koran, the holy scripture of Islam, to the Prophet Mohammed at a meditation retreat in a cave about 1,400 years ago.

Mukherjee further said, "May Eid-ul-Fitr reinforce the nation's commitment to mutual harmony and radiate the message of India's composite culture to the whole world."

Vice President Hamid Ansari also greeted Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Shahnawaz Hussain and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on the occasion of Eid.

Ansari said, “It's a day of happiness, everyone should celebrate it together.”  

Extending greetings of the festival, Shahnawaz Hussain said, “I hope this Eid brings happiness to everyone, it is a day for everyone to come together.”

Fasting, charity, daily prayers, the declaration of faith and pilgrimage to Mecca are the five pillars of Islam.

During Ramadan, Muslims offer special prayers called Taraweeh at the end of their usual five- times prayers.

Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days and culminates in the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. Tens of millions across the Muslim world make every effort to be more spiritual.

Muslims abstain from food, drink and other pleasures from sunrise to sunset.

Greetings on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this auspicious day strengthen the bond of peace, unity & brotherhood across our Nation.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 29, 2014

Warm greetings&good wishes on auspicious occasion of Idu'l fitr, hope festival enriches lives with spirit of brotherhood#Presidentmukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) July 28, 2014