Muslims across the country celebrated Eid ul-Fitr on Sunday with religious fervour and gaiety amidst tight security.

Thousands of worshippers gathered at the Jama Masjid in national capital New Delhi on Sunday morning to attend special congregational prayers, Ahmed Bukhari of the Masjid said.

Eid is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity, he said.

For the first time this year, security tips were announced over microphone, he said.

"Announcements were made on how the devouts should be careful and they should not touch any suspicious object."

Heavy security arrangements were made at the mosque on the occasion. Police was keeping a vigil on the movement of public from nearby high rise buildings. The mosque has already installed CCTVs to monitor the movement of public, he said.

Muslims in heavy numbers also offered prayers and greeted each other at the Fatehpruri Masjid, Shahi Imam of the masjid Mufti M Mukkaram Ahmed said.

"We also greeted our Hindu brothers and sisters for Dusherra and Diwali," he said, adding that security was adequate for the occasion that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.

In Jammu and Kashmir [Images], Eid prayers were offered at the Eidgah in Srinagar [Images] after a gap of nearly 20 years where one lakh Muslims had congregated. However, the largest congregation of Eid prayers was held at Hazratbal Shrine along the banks of Dal lake where more than 1.5 lakh devouts offered prayers.

Image: Muslims attend prayers at Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr.
Reportage: Agencies | Photograph: Manpreet Romana/AFP/Getty Images