Meethi Eid | Eid ul Fitr is also called Meethi Eid
Eid ul Fitr is the breaking of Ramadan fast on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth Islamic month. Eid ul Fitr is also known as Meethi Eid as breaking of fast is done by eating sweet dish. A number of sweet dishes are prepared on this day like Sheer Khurma, Kimami Sevaiyyan, Falooda, Phirni, and Shahi Tukra. It indicates starting daily routine with a sweet note after a month of praying and fasting.
After a month long fasting days, Muslims break their fast by enjoying variety of sweet dishes. As this Eid is largely focused on prepration of sweets it is called Meethi Eid. Eating and sharing sweets among friends and family is part of Eid ul Fitr and is said to bring good luck and increase happiness. People enjoy scrumptious food items, meet friends and family, share smiles and hugs forgetting and forgiving all annoyances as part of the religious teachings.
On Bakr Id or Eid al-Adha meat is consumed and this Eid is considered incomplete without Goat meat, similarly Eid ul Fitr is considered incomplete without sweets. People consume sweets like Sheer Khurma, and Kimami Sevaiyyan and ask Allah for happiness and peace for the Barakat.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan occurs during the month in which Muslims believe the Quran began to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is a joyous celebration for Muslims.
Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Healthy adults are expected to observe the fast. During Ramadan, the fast helps believers purify their hearts, renew their faith, seek forgiveness, and increase self-discipline. It is also a time to focus on what is most important and positive in a believer’s life.
The Ramadan fast is absolute. Each day, from the time of Suhoor (the final meal before sunrise) until Iftar (the meal to break the fast), Muslims abstain from all food and water. Nothing may be consumed during these hours.
At the conclusion of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast). It begins with the communal Eid prayer. The holiday includes breaking the month-long fast and celebrating together. This beautiful day is celebrated differently in different parts of the world mostly according to the traditions of each country, though the basics remain the same.
Desserts prepared during Eid-ul-Fitr
Sheer Khurma
Sheer Khurma is one of the most savored Mughlai dessert and an essential part of Eid food. It is a rich dessert made with fine vermicelli, milk, dates, dry fruits and ghee , a rich and flavourful dessert. Sheer khurma is one of the trademarks of Eid-ul-Fitr far and wide across the Indian subcontinent. The vermicelli pudding is a festive dessert that marks the end of the month-long fast, ringing in a sweet, sweet day of celebration.
Meethi Seviyan
Meethi seviyan dessert is ideal for Eid. Meethi / meetha means sweet and seviyan is vermicelli hence the name. It is prepared using seviyan (thin vermicelli), milk, ghee, sugar and dry fruits.
Phirni
Phirni is rice pudding made of powdered rice cooked in milk and sugar, and delicately flavored with pistachios, rose, cardamom and saffron. This dessert is a perfect sweet treat for summers and Indian festivals like Holi, and Eid. Phirni is a variation of Kheer. Phirni is made with rice and milk just like kheer. The key difference between these two recipes is that Phirni uses ground rice, while in Kheer whole rice is used.
Falooda
Falooda is a chilled dessert that consists of layers of vermicelli, soaked basil seeds, jelly, rose syrup and ice cream. One can even add a layer of fruits if needed. This dessert is yet another favourite of ours, especially during summers especially during Eid.
Shahi Tukda
Shahi Tukda is a winning dessert for every happy occasion or festival like Eid. Shahi Tukda, also known as Shahi Toast, is a royal dish from Hyderabad’s gastronomic paradise. It is made with Bread which is fried with Ghee and topped with Rabri and dry fruits.
