Eid-ul-fitr is one of my favorite festivals and I was lucky enough to spend it the best way, at my home in Srinagar, Kashmir. I recall jokingly telling my friends how Ramzan is like the spiritual coachella for people observing the holy month and Eid is the celebratory Met Gala. So, yes! We take it seriously. For the past six years, I have been observing Ramzan in Delhi as a college student, enjoying with friends and finding excuses to attend any Iftaar party. This year, I observed Ramzan as a working professional for the first time. As a college student, I had the liberty of skipping the morning lecture but now- not an option anymore! I missed my friends and the vibrant Ramzan environment at my ex-University, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi. However, in the process of adjustment, I found sweet moments and exchanges that made me realize the value of change and reminiscence.
After spending most of Ramzan in the heat of Gurgaon, I was looking forward to go back home to be welcomed by a blissful spring in the valley. I reached home during the last 10 days of Ramzan, a period of self-reflection, devoted worship throughout the nights and abundant charity. The downtime in Srinagar away from the heat and with my loving family felt like the homecoming I needed. The best part about going home after a long time is being treated like a mini-celebrity – attending Eid exhibitions, having my favourite food prepared and getting prepped for Eid!
The Day and Eve of Eid Celebration: Arfa and Chaand Raat
This time, one of my favourite memories during my Srinagar visit was the eve before Eid. The Hijri Calendar (Islamic calendar) follows the phases of the moon, therefore, the sighting of the new moon marks the beginning and end of months. As Ramzan reaches its end, the anticipation of Eid is always an exciting feeling. The uncertainty of whether Eid would fall on the 29th day or the 30th day of Ramzan, if the moon is sighted, is an anxiety-inducing event in its own way. It is always funny and exciting how one day makes such a difference in the plan for Eid. Half of my family wanted the Eid to fall on the 30th Day. Either they wanted to have one more day of Ramzan or enough kebabs weren’t prepared to suffice for family members and expected guests. The other half which included me, was looking forward to witnessing early Eid bliss. I couldn’t wait to have a day more of meal time to devour everything prepared. Luckily, at around 9 pm on 9th April, the moon was sighted in Kashmir and Eid fell on the 29th Day of Ramadan, 10th April, 2024.
Eid Mubarak!
Taqabbalallahu Minna Wa Minkum (May God accept fasting from you and me).
Eid Mornings kick off with dressing up, flaunting the rich color of henna and offering the special Eid Nimaz (prayers). Eid Nimaz/Salah is a special prayer offered on Eid at an Eidgah. An Eidgah is an open ground dedicated to Eid prayers. Eidgahs are integral to Eid celebrations allover. As I write this, I am reminded of a popular Kashmiri Eid song. Chorus: Eid aaye ras ras Eidgah waswo. (The Eid has come to bless us, come let’s go to the Eidgah).
After the Eid prayers, it was time to have breakfast after a month! Some folks joke that the first bite of food at such an odd hour feels blasphemous as people are habitual of fasting from down to dusk. The Eid breakfast at my home began with our special Kashmiri saffron tea, Kahwa! The Kahwa is a warm and sweet drink served with crushed almonds and Kashmiri baked delicacies on the side. The Eid breakfast table is a sight for the eyes and a treat to the stomach. After breakfast, it was now time to get Eidi from the elders in the family (gifts and money). I made little less than the fortune that I am used to, probably because my little niece, Amrah, holds the title of being the youngest in the family now. This time I helped my nephew and nieces prepare Eid cards for elders as a thank-you gift and acknowledgement of love and efforts. Observing my nephew and niece brainstorm what they would like to thank elders for was the funniest yet heartwarming conversation I have had in a while.
The phones on the day of Eid keep buzzing as every corner of the house echoes hearty Eid greetings in the festive spirit. Eid is a wonderful time to reconnect with everyone, especially my childhood friends. Since we moved out from Kashmir for college, we all just show up without any prior discussion on our mandatory Eid group call. It is wonderful to connect, show our outfits and share laughs, miles away from each other.
My dearest cup (s) of Nunchai!
The rest of the day was spent with relatives visiting my home and engaging in long overdue catch-ups. This time my mother had prepared a homemade sweet from milk, ghee and jaggery with a sprinkle of coconut. I couldn’t get enough of this mithai to its last crumbles.
Whenever someone asks me whether I am a tea or a coffee person, I mostly say that I am a coffee person because the tea in question is not Nun-chai! Nun chai or Namkeen chai is a special Kashmiri tea that is salty and pink in color. Nun-chai is my soul food and go-to drink whenever I am home. Somehow I have never liked having nun-chai anywhere else but at home, prepared with my mother’s love. Let me warn you, Nun chai is the antithesis of what you normally think a chai would taste like. It is salty, bitter and is an acquired taste for most. Nun chai is served hot with special mouth-watering baked goods on the side. On Eid, the evening tea-time craving for nun chai took the best of me and I completely surrendered to the taste of it. I can proudly say that I do not remember the times I refilled my cup. All I remember is that I was happy and that my Eid was made!
I am lucky to have a memorable Eid with my loved ones. In tough times around the world, I’d like to end this blog with a prayer. I truly hope and pray that everyone celebrates future Eids in warmth, comfort and safety. May the spirit of Eid prevail at all times.
