Chaand Raat also known as the night of the moon is a Muslim festival which marks the end of Ramdan. It is celebrated by the Islamic community across the world, especially in the Indian sub- continent and among those who have emigrated from the sub-continent to other countries. Chaand ki Raat occurs on the eve of Eid Ul Fitr and is a prelude to the celebrations of Eid as well. The festival of Chaand Raat welcomes the Islamic month of Shawwal and the first day of Eid.
Etymology of Chaand Raat
The word Chaand Raat is derived from the Sanskrit words Chandra, meaning moon and Ratri, meaning night.
Background of Chaand Raat
The beginning of an Islamic month depends on the first sighting of the lunar crescent and Chaand Raat occurs on the first lunar crescent of the month of Shawwal. Chaand Raat celebrates the eve of Eid Ul Fitr and is considered to be more festive on Eid Ul Fitr than Eid Ul Adha, which is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. The sighting of the moon is announced by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and as soon as it is done, the festivities commence and continue all night long until the morning Fajr prayer.
Festivities of Chaand Raat
The celebration of Chaand Raat is most prominent in the north Indian states but southern states like Andhra Pradesh is an exception as it has a significantly higher population of Muslim people. The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and fervour with a festive look on the city streets, the brightly decorated markets, and wishing one another Chaand Raat Mubarak which means "Have a blessed night of the new moon" or Eid Mubarak which means "Blessings of the Eid Day". There are also small scale fairs that are set up either within the neighbourhood or on the fairgrounds which offer clothing, jewellery, henna tattooing, fashion items, games as well as arts and crafts.
The amount of preparation and anticipation that goes behind the festival of Chaand Raat is tremendous and thus it can be compared to the Christian festival of Christmas.
