Eid-ul-Azha oe Bakrid was celebrated with religious fervour and complete tranquillity across Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. From major urban centres like Lucknow to rural districts including Amethi, Rae Bareli, Shravasti and Balrampur, members of the Muslim community gathered in large numbers at mosques and Eidgahs to offer special prayers.

The festive spirit was marked by devotion, community bonding, and strict adherence to law and order.

In Lucknow, the largest congregations for Eid prayers took place at Aishbagh Eidgah, Tile Wali Masjid, and Asifi Masjid. Worshippers offered prayers for national peace and prosperity, and greeted one another with the traditional embrace of brotherhood.

The city witnessed an elaborate security arrangement, with the police commissionerate dividing it into five zones and 18 sectors to ensure smooth conduct of the celebrations.

A total of 94 Eidgahs and over 1,200 mosques were kept under drone surveillance. Senior officials, including Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Babloo Kumar and DCP West Vishwajeet Srivastava, conducted route marches in Old Lucknow.

Security was similarly reviewed in the central zone to maintain a strong police presence throughout the day. In Amethi, Eid was observed with devotion across urban and rural areas. Worshippers gathered early in the morning at the Jama Masjid and other places of worship to offer prayers. Maulana Sajid Raza, delivering the khutba (sermon) at the Jama Masjid, spoke about the significance of sacrifice in Islam and appealed for communal harmony. Following prayers, symbolic animal sacrifices were conducted and families welcomed guests with traditional fare such as sevai. The district administration had deployed adequate police force around religious sites, contributing to a peaceful celebration.

Rae Bareli too reported peaceful observance of Bakrid. Eid prayers were offered at prominent locations including Lalganj, Nasirabad, and Parsadepur, as well as in villages such as Kurouli Budhkar, Jalalpur Dhai, and Daudpur. Religious leaders led congregations in prayer and delivered messages of unity. Police personnel remained stationed at all key points to maintain security, and no untoward incident was reported.

In Shravasti, major congregations took place in Bhinga and Ikauna. District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi and Superintendent of Police Ghanshyam Chaurasia personally inspected the arrangements and ensured smooth conduct of the festival. Devotees performed prayers in a disciplined and respectful atmosphere. In Balrampur, Eid prayers were offered with religious solemnity. Devotees across the district participated in the ritual of Qurbani (sacrifice) and celebrated the occasion with warmth and hospitality. Police deployment was visible and effective throughout the district, ensuring a peaceful environment.

Western Uttar Pradesh, often seen as sensitive during major festivals, also reported a smooth and uneventful Eid-ul-Azha. In districts such as Sambhal, Meerut, Bijnor and Saharanpur, the festival passed without incident. Local administrations confirmed that the presence of police personnel and cooperation from the public played a significant role in maintaining peace.

In Sambhal, more than 100 Eid gatherings took place under high security. Meerut hosted over 150 congregations with substantial police deployment. In Bijnor and Saharanpur, the administration ensured tight monitoring, resulting in a peaceful and well-organised celebration across both districts.

Senior officials of the Home Department praised the coordination between local police units and community leaders. Senior officials stated that the state had witnessed an “exemplary show of communal harmony and discipline,” crediting both the public and administrative machinery for their role in ensuring a smooth celebration. "With no incidents reported from any part of the state and comprehensive security measures in place, this year’s

Eid-ul-Azha in Uttar Pradesh stood as a model of religious harmony and effective civic management," Government spokesman said.