President Ramnath Kovind on 2 September greeted the nation as well as Indian Muslims living abroad, on the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha.
"Greetings to all my fellow citizens, especially to my Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad, on Idu'l Zuha," he wrote on Twitter.
Greetings to all my fellow citizens, especially to my Muslim brothers & sisters in India & abroad, on Idu’l Zuha #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 2, 2017
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the nation, and wished for harmony and brotherhood in the society.
Best wishes on Id-ul-Zuha. May the spirit of harmony, brotherhood and togetherness be furthered in our society.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 2, 2017
Meanwhile, Muslims across the nation offered prayers in the early hours of the holy day.
Id-ul-Zuha or Eid al-Adha is one of the two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year.
Id-ul-Zuha, also known as Bakrid is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, and two days after the beginning of the Hajj pilgrimage in the last month of the Islamic calendar. Traditionally, the starting date of this festival depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon.
The festival marks the end of Hajj and involves animal sacrifice as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice to Allah.
-ANI