Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with gaiety in the city as a large number of Muslim brothers offered special Ramadan prayers on Tuesday in mosques, Idgahs and grounds.
Celebrating the festival in the open after a gap of two years, Muslims hugged each other and exchanged greetings.
The celebrations were a low-key affair in the last two years as no public gathering took place due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many people gathered at Jumma Masjid, Shahi Masjid, Minar Lababin, Masjid-e-Bilal and many other mosques to offer prayers and end the month-long fast.
Namaz was also offered at Gandhiji Municipal School Ground, Gymkhana Ground, HO Function Hall, Kabela, Sanath Nagar Idgah, Yanmalkuduru Idgah, Ajit Singh Nagar Idgah and Chittinagar Idgah.
Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu Ajit Singh attended Namaz at Nagar Idgah, while MLC Mohd Ruhollah offered Namaz at Inamatula Uloom Masjid.
Hundreds of Muslims took part in special prayers in Guntur district. The Idgah in Nagarampalem witnessed large crowds, and the organizers took special care by installing a canopy to protect the congregation from the scorching heat.
Mayor Kavati Manohar Naidu, MLC Lela Appireddy, MLA, Guntur West, Madali Giridhar Rao, MLA, Guntur East, Mohd Mustafa, participated in the prayer at Nagarampalem.
Police made security arrangements and diverted traffic. Traffic was diverted from Hindu College Junction towards St Joseph’s Hospital Road, Guntur Medical College Road.
The sight of the men and children praying was refreshing as prayers were not performed during the last two years due to COVID-19.