Bakrid 2025: India celebrates Eid al-Adha with prayers, tight security
Synopsis
Millions across India marked Bakrid on 28 May 2025 with dawn prayers, festive meals, and charity — while Delhi Police deployed heavy security around Jama Masjid. A moon-sighting discrepancy split celebrations across regions, with Jammu and Kashmir observing the festival a day earlier.
Key Takeaways
Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) was celebrated across most of India on 28 May 2025 , with large congregations at mosques and Eidgahs.
Delhi Police deployed heavy security around Jama Masjid ; worshippers underwent thorough checks before entry.
Parts of Jammu and Kashmir observed the festival on 27 May due to a regional difference in crescent moon sighting.
The festival commemorates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim and falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah in the Islamic lunar calendar.
Devotees highlighted the festival's message of brotherhood, communal harmony, and charity , with many distributing food to the underprivileged.
Thousands of Muslims across India gathered at mosques and Eidgahs on Thursday, 28 May 2025 to mark Eid al-Adha, popularly known as Bakrid, offering special prayers and celebrating one of Islam's most significant festivals with deep religious devotion. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place across major cities to ensure the celebrations passed off peacefully.
Prayers and Celebrations Nationwide
Large congregations assembled at prayer venues from early morning, with worshippers dressed in traditional attire exchanging greetings with family, friends, and neighbours. Festive meals, acts of kindness, and distribution of food among the underprivileged marked the spirit of the occasion. Devotees said the festival carries a message of 'brotherhood, communal harmony, and peaceful coexistence', while underscoring values of compassion, sacrifice, and charity.
Security Arrangements in Delhi and Other Cities
Delhi Police deployed heavy security around the historic Jama Masjid area in the national capital. Worshippers entering the mosque premises were permitted only after thorough security checks as part of precautionary measures to maintain public safety and order. Similar security deployments were reported in several other cities across the country.
Why the Date Varied Across Regions
While most of India observed Bakrid on 28 May, some regions — including parts of Jammu and Kashmir — celebrated the festival a day earlier, on Wednesday, 27 May. As with all Islamic festivals, the date of Eid al-Adha is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. This year, religious authorities in several parts of India confirmed that the Dhul-Hijjah crescent moon was not sighted on the expected evening, shifting the start of the Islamic month by one day and placing Bakrid on 28 May for most states.
Significance of Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha commemorates the devotion and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who, according to Islamic tradition, was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command. The festival symbolises unwavering faith, gratitude, forgiveness, and charity. It falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, coinciding with the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
What Comes Next
Post-Eid gatherings and continued acts of charity are expected over the following days, as communities extend the spirit of the occasion. Authorities are expected to maintain heightened vigil in sensitive areas through the extended festive period.
Point of View
Jammu and Kashmir a day earlier — is a recurring feature of Islamic festival observance in India, rooted in regional moon-sighting differences rather than administrative inconsistency. The heavy security deployment at Jama Masjid reflects a now-standard posture for major religious gatherings in the capital, one that has become routine enough to draw little comment but still signals the underlying tension between public celebration and law-enforcement caution. Coverage of Bakrid tends to flatten into feel-good harmony narratives; the more substantive story is how local administrations balance security visibility with the community's right to celebrate without feeling surveilled.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bakrid 2025 celebrated in India?
Bakrid, or Eid al-Adha, was celebrated on 28 May 2025 in most parts of India. Some regions, including parts of Jammu and Kashmir, observed the festival a day earlier on 27 May due to differences in crescent moon sighting.
Why do different regions in India celebrate Bakrid on different dates?
The date of Eid al-Adha depends on the sighting of the Dhul-Hijjah crescent moon. This year, religious authorities in several states confirmed the moon was not sighted on the expected evening, shifting the festival date by one day for most of the country.
What security arrangements were made for Bakrid 2025?
Delhi Police deployed heavy security around the historic Jama Masjid area in New Delhi. Worshippers were allowed entry only after thorough security checks. Similar arrangements were reported in several other cities across India.
What is the religious significance of Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, according to Islamic tradition. It falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage, symbolising faith, gratitude, forgiveness, and charity.
How do Muslims in India celebrate Bakrid?
Celebrations include special congregational prayers at mosques and Eidgahs from early morning, wearing traditional attire, exchanging greetings, sharing festive meals, and distributing food and aid to the underprivileged as an act of charity.
