Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest festival of the Muslims, was celebrated with due religious fervour across the country on Saturday.
Most of the people left for their village homes braving the huge rush on the road to celebrate Eid with their family after the month of fasting of Ramadan.
Rain hampered Eid celebrations in many areas Eid congregations could not be held in open spaces in many places because of the rainfall.
In the capital, the main Eid congregation was held at the National Eidgah. There were five congregations held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
More than 1,25,000 men and women joined the Eid congregations led by the Baitul Mukarram khatib, Maulana Muhammad Salahuddin, at the National Eidgah.
Special prayers seeking divine blessings for welfare and progress of the people, the country and the Muslims was sought in all congregations across the country.
The president, Zillur Rahman, the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and the leader of opposition in parliament, Khaleda Zia, also the BNP chairperson, issued separate messages wishing the people and the Muslim community peace and prosperity.
Leaders of the Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jatiya Party, Gana Forum, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Liberal Democratic Party and other political parties also welcomed the countrymen by issuing messages on the occasion.
More than 2.5 lakh people said their congregational prayers at the Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj. The railway ran two trains to and from Sholakia to ferry the devotees.
Devotees in places such as Bogra, Krigram, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Khulna, Bagerhat, Saidpur and some parts of Chittagong could not say their Eid prayers in open spaces because of the rainfall.
Roads in the capital, Chittagong and some other districts were decorated with flags and festoons.
Special diets were served in orphanages, shelter homes, hospitals and jails.
People thronged the recreation facilities such as amusement parks and zoos. The Shishu Park in the capital remained open for poor children. Cultural organisation Dhakabasi brought out a procession in the capital with children in their new dresses riding traditional horse-driven carriages and girls on horseback.
Entertainment and cultural programmes, sports events and gatherings of children were also organised in districts. Television channels and radio stations aired special programmes.
The law enforcement agencies took up special security measures and intensified surveillance at important points to avoid any untoward incidents.
Eid-ul-Fitr was also celebrated at Bangladesh missions abroad.
