Eid Milad is a festival that celebrates the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam and the messenger of God. The festival is also known as Mawlid or Eid-e-Milad, and it falls in the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. The date of Eid Milad varies according to the lunar cycle, and this year, it is observed on September 28 in India.
The significance of Eid Milad is to commemorate the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, who is revered by Muslims as the final prophet and the best example of humanity. Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 CE, and he received his first revelation from God at the age of 40. He then preached the message of Islam, which means submission to God, to his people and faced many hardships and persecutions. He migrated to Medina, where he established a Muslim community and a state based on Islamic principles. He died in Medina in the year 632 CE, leaving behind a legacy of faith, wisdom, justice, mercy, and compassion.
Eid Milad is celebrated in different ways by different Muslim sects and regions. In Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka state in India, Eid Milad is marked by colourful processions, prayers, recitations, speeches, and decorations. Muslims in Bengaluru decorate their homes and mosques with lights, flags, banners, and flowers. They also distribute sweets and gifts to their relatives, friends, and neighbours. They attend special prayers at mosques and listen to sermons on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. They also participate in processions that carry replicas of Prophet Muhammad’s tomb and his footprints. The processions are accompanied by chants of praise and salutations for Prophet Muhammad.
One of the customs followed by Muslims in Bengaluru during Eid Milad is to visit the Dargah Hazrat Tawakkal Mastan Shah Sahib, a shrine dedicated to a Sufi saint who was a devotee of Prophet Muhammad. The shrine is located in Cottonpet area of Bengaluru and attracts thousands of devotees from different faiths. The shrine is decorated with flowers and lights, and people offer prayers and seek blessings from the saint.
Another custom followed by Muslims in Bengaluru during Eid Milad is to donate food, clothes, money, and other items to the poor and needy. This is done as a gesture of charity and generosity, which are among the virtues taught by Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that by helping others, they are also pleasing God and earning rewards in the hereafter.
Eid Milad is also a time to enjoy various delicacies prepared by Muslims in Bengaluru. Some of the special foods prepared for the festival are:
- Sheer Khurma: A sweet dish made with milk, vermicelli, dates, nuts, sugar, and cardamom. It is served as a breakfast or dessert on Eid Milad.
- Biryani: A rice dish cooked with meat, spices, herbs, and saffron. It is served with raita (yogurt with cucumber), salan (spicy gravy), or korma (meat curry).
- Kebabs: Skewered pieces of meat marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal or oven. They are served with chutney (sauce), salad, or bread.
- Phirni: A creamy dessert made with rice flour, milk, sugar, saffron, and nuts. It is served chilled in earthen pots.
- Baklava: A pastry made with layers of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and soaked in honey or sugar syrup. It is a popular dessert among Turkish and Arab Muslims.
If you are in Bengaluru during Eid Milad, you should not miss out on some of the famous destinations that offer a glimpse of the festival’s spirit and flavour. Here are some of them:
- Mosque Road and MM Road, Frazer Town: These perpendicular roads in Frazer Town have stalls and restaurants that serve up delicious delicacies during the month of Eid Milad. You can enjoy kebabs, rolls, Malabari biryani, haleem, sheer khurma, and more. Some of the popular places to visit are Karama Restaurant, Empire Restaurant, Iftar Cafe, and Albert Bakery. Albert Bakery is especially famous for its bheja puffs (brain puffs), which are available only during Eid Milad.
- Shivajinagar: Shivajinagar is another hotspot for Eid Milad feasting, as it is a Muslim predominant area. You can find a variety of dishes, such as camel meat, quail, dakhni biryani, nalli nihari (lamb shank stew), and kebabs. Some of the oldest and most reputed restaurants in this area are Chichaba’s Taj, Rahhams, Savoury Restaurant, and Hotel Fanoos.
- Koramangala: Koramangala is a cosmopolitan area that offers a range of cuisines and eateries. During Eid Milad, you can find stalls and restaurants that serve mouth-watering iftar meals (the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan), such as liver desserts, seafood barbecues, kofta ande (meatballs with eggs), murg chaap (chicken chops), and dum biryani (rice cooked with meat under steam). Some of the places to check out are Sharief Bhai, Zaks Mediterranean Cuisine, Khan Saheb Grills and Rolls, and Sufi Restaurant.
- Tilak Nagar: Tilak Nagar is another place where you can pick up a few delicacies during Eid Milad. You can try the khova naan (bread stuffed with milk solids), choba naan (bread stuffed with nuts), cocktail chicken and mutton samosas (fried pastries with meat fillings), and phirni (creamy dessert made with rice flour) from Albert Bakery. You can also visit Vidhyarthi Bhavan for their famous masala dosa (rice crepe with spicy potato filling) and coffee.
- Taj West End Bengaluru: If you want to enjoy a lavish and luxurious Eid Milad meal at home, you can order from Taj West End Bengaluru. They have a special menu for Eid that includes appetizers like kebabs, mains like meaty biryanis, and desserts like baklava (pastry with nuts and honey). You can also choose from their other cuisines, such as Indian, Chinese, Continental, and Thai.
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