At Delhi's Jama Masjid, thousands dressed in their Id best offered prayer and exchanged greetings with friends and relatives. People from other communities also joined them in the celebrations.

Wishing the Muslims on the occasion, Vice-President Krishan Kant described the festival as the "culmination of a process of mind, body and spirit". He stressed the need for imbibing part of the festival spirit to discharge "our debt to higher forces".

Delhi's Lt Governor Vijai Kapoor congratulated the people and expressed hope that the festival would be observed in the spirit of harmony and amity.

At the Fatehpuri Mosque, Shahi Imam Mufti Mohammed Mukarram led the prayers. In his address, he appealed to the Muslim community to follow the path of Islam as preached by the Prophet andstressed upon the need to live in communal harmony with other communities. He said Islam guaranteed peace and justice and hated terrorism.

At the grand old Jama Masjid of Srinagar, about 70,000 people including women and children gathered to offer the special prayer. Historic Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar also witnessed a huge gathering of 50,000 people.

Muslims in Chandigarh in Punjab, Haryana and the Union territory also celebrated the festival. In Chandigarh, the main celebration was held in the Sector 20 Jama Masjid where Punjab Governor and Union Territory Administator Lt Gen (Retd) B K N Chhibber greeted the community people. Gen Chhibber called upon the people to take a pledge on this day to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and amity among different communities.

Addressing the congregation, Imam Maulana Azmal Khan appealed for unity among various communities and prayed for country's solemnity and integrity.

Id was celebrated in West Bengal with traditional fervour. Aprayer was organised on the red road where a large number of people congregated and offered Id namaz.

West Bengal Governor A R Kidwai, in a message said, "Let us pray that all the evils in our personal and social life are eradicated. May God shower peace and prosperity on us all."

Tamil Nadu Governor Justice M Fathima Beevi, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister J Jayalalitha and several political party leaders also greeted the people on the eve of Id. Beevi said the observance of the sacred month of Ramzan through fasting purified the soul and instilled the spirit of brotherhood.

Karunanidhi said prophet Mohammed had taught that the people should eschew evil deeds and forgive those committing such deeds. Id was an occasion to renew the commitment to communal harmony and humanism, he added.