RAWALPINDI: Despite the hot and humid weather, residents of the garrison city celebratedEidulAzhawith religious fervour on Monday and Tuesday.

However, it was the second day which saw most families venturing out to enjoy the holiday.

Rain on the second day of the festival turned the weather pleasant, but it also put the civic bodies on their toes to clear the waste and offal as early as possible.

Hundreds of Eid congregations were held, with many offering prayers in mosques, Eidgahs, Imambargahs and other open places amid tight security. Special prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of the country, unity of the Muslim Ummah and liberation of Muslim territories, including India-held Kashmir.

People had planned a number of programmes, with some arranging barbecue parties at their homes while others thronged parks, including Ayub Park, Jinnah Park, Nawaz Sharif Park, Lake View Park and resorts like Murree, Pir Sohawa and Daman-i-Koh.

“We spent almost the entire day at home performing the ritual of sacrificing animals and then distributing the meat among relatives, neighbours and friends. After spending a busy day, we came to the park to enjoy the festivity,” said Mehmood Hassan, a visitor to Ayub National Park.

Mohammad Rafique, another visitor to the park, said it was a hot day on Monday but after the rain the next day, the weather became pleasant and was ideal for picnic. He said his family spent the second day at a picnic place in Islamabad.

A visitor to Lake View Park, Sarmad Raja, said he spent the first day at home due to the hot weather. After the weather became pleasant on the second day, we came to the park, he added.

The Jungle Kingdom at Ayub National Park remained the main attraction for children.

Many families said they were visiting the park after over a month as the hot weather had forced them to stay indoors. In Saddar, youngsters tried to do wheelie on Bank Road, but the police took action and stopped them.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2024