Eid ul Zuha which is known as Bakra Eid or Festival of Sacrifice, is an important and meaningful festival for Muslims, which means so much to Muslims, commemorates an act of great faith by Prophet Ibrahim A.S towards Allah. By Islamic belief, Allah asked Prophet Ibrahim A.S to sacrifice his son Ismail A.S to test his faith. Initially, Ibrahim A.S was ready to carry out God’s command without hesitation, but Allah, out of His great mercy, replaced the sacrifice of Ismail A.S with a ram (Male Sheep) to prove the true sacrificial spirit lies in surrendering your will to something greater.
Bakra Eid is observed in Kashmir with a mix of respect and togetherness. It all starts when families wake up at dawn, wear traditional clothes and go to famous mosques or shrines to pray. In the calm morning light, the azan makes the community unite and pray to get blessings of peace, prosperity and faith. The valley’s streets are usually filled with traders and tea stands, though on this special day they become peaceful and cheerful, thanks to all the smiles and greetings. A few days before the festival, busy markets are where families find goats or sheep they will sacrifice on Bakra Eid. Everyone who can afford, is involved in this act which is carefully done after prayers, with the elders instructing the youths to avoid wasting any part of the animal used.
It goes deeper than a ritual; it also shows people how to share, feel compassion and value everyone the same. According to Islamic belief, when a family gets a sacrificial animal, the meat is divided equally among the family members, relatives and friends and the poor. Here, this approach is important since financial issues affect lots of people in Kashmir. Local people, yateem trusts and dar ul ulooms receive the meat, so its blessings are felt in every part of society. Because rich and poor all share in this process, it shows that beyond anything, all people are equal before God. However, in some parts of Kashmir, the purpose of Qurbani is being hidden by rituals that are not in line with its original spirit. There are instances when more food is given to the rich relatives, who do not need extra and the portion for the poor is lessened. By following this trend, people go against the main idea of the festival, that the offering of Qurbani guarantees everyone can enjoy a meal that day. The Prophet called for the poor to be given the best share of help, but sometimes this idea is set aside when trying to remain close to those who already have much.
Another tradition that is now common is sending a sheep or goat, dressed with a gold coin, to the new couple’s home to wish them prosperity. Instead of being humble, this custom is used to demonstrate wealth which opposes the heart of making a sacrifice. Qurbani is not meant to gain attention; it is all about being humble and offering Allah’s blessings to those who need help. Handmade customs may take away from what festivals are meant to be and turn an occasion for spiritual growth into a day of material show. Bakra Eid is about making sure the disadvantaged have meat for a meal to enjoy the celebrations. Even so, there are those who only follow Pagan principles and this might cause the main message of the festival to be lost.
Even with these hardships, Bakra Eid is celebrated with great vividness and joy in Kashmir. There is the scent of warming Rogan josh from tender meats and powerful spices inside our houses and the taste of yakhni curry, with its rich yogurt flavour and fluffy rice. During festive occasions, meatballs in creamy curd gravy called goshtaba become a favourite in many people’s homes. Families gather around these meals which are spread on the floor of their homes decorated with beautiful handwoven carpets. In Kashmiri cuisine, Persian heritage is mixed with local dishes, making sure to eat the famous wazwan and drink the strong and salty pink tea called noon chai. Sweets made with dates and almonds, have a sweet taste and reflect on the importance of sharing happiness with others.
Bakra Eid in Kashmir is centred around the community. Children run along the lanes in their new clothes, their pockets full of Eidi which are the small gifts given to them by relatives. As Eid celebrations continue, women wish those around them Eid Mubarak and men meet to share what happened during the prayers. Besides Qurbani, many families reach out to orphanages and share clothes and food with people who need it, so Eid’s kindness is brought to as many as possible. However, the main difficulty is to refocus on what the festival represents, making sure that any act of charity supports the needy rather than fulfilling what is expected by society or match a society’s impression of wealth.
Even though the messages of Bakra Eid are the same everywhere, they matter more in Kashmir due to the region’s own experiences. Daily life in Kashmir includes sacrificing especially by giving up personal things for one’s family or sticking to their religion during tough times. Sharing the meat from Qurbani shows how the residents sincerely welcome anyone with even a little food. The festival urges everyone involved to keep its main purpose in mind and focus on helping the poor most.
Bakra Eid inspires people to set aside their own wants to help others who are not as fortunate. The charity helps widows, orphans and displaced people, like Prophets did by showing love and offering help to those in need. Living through disputes, acts of generosity promote unity and connect different groups. During Bakra Eid, Kashmir’s diverse faith groups of eat together and greet one another, highlighting the valley’s syncretic nature. During night, there is still a light from the lanterns and the soothing sound of people offering prayers. Families go back to their houses, feeling joyful after a day of honor, food and sharing. Remembering Bakra Eid in Kashmir, everyone is reminded to help and be kind, so that sharing with the needy transpires into a form of gratitude for better times in the future.
Bakra Eid means more than just slaughtering an animal; it also involves inner thought and improvement. It causes individuals to wonder what they would be willing to give up to support justice and the people. In a world growing increasingly self-centred, this festival becomes a rare occasion that asks people to pause, examine their intentions, and align their hearts with humility and obedience. Sacrifice here is not limited to animals—it is also about ego, pride, and selfishness. By offering these parts of ourselves, we grow closer to the values that Islam teaches: simplicity, sincerity, and selflessness.
The festival also plays an important role in educating the younger generation. Children who witness the rituals of Qurbani, the distribution of meat, and the warmth of community gatherings learn more than customs—they are introduced to values. Elders describe the lives of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail A.S, talking about them both as religious stories and instructions on submitting to God’s decisions. By aiding in the supply of food or deliveries to those in need, children find out that being happy is not just about having fancy things, but about serving others. Such moments give them a better understanding of religion as something alive, kind and related to humans.
Because of social media and consumer trends, celebrating Bakra Eid might only become an act to show or prove something. Instead of worship, people may draw attention to their festivities with photos of animals or meals. The need to keep up appearances sometimes overtakes the duty to feed the hungry or support the lonely. The essence of Qurbani is at risk of being diluted when attention turns outward instead of inward. As believers, it is crucial to guard the sacredness of this day by choosing meaningful actions over meaningless trends, and by keeping intentions pure in a time that often rewards image more than integrity.
Truly, Eid-ul-Adha gives people and communities a chance to heal and renew themselves. Offering meat, time or kind actions increases the closeness among people. This helps anyone who feels sad, struggles or is alone to be acknowledged and part of the community. The festival reminds us that no one should be left behind, especially on a day meant to honor the mercy of Allah. As families gather, as prayers are offered, and as meals are shared, a silent prayer moves through every home—that the coming days will bring more unity, more peace, and more understanding.

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