Crowds of people try to board the roofs of trains for a risky ride to their home villages, at the railway station in Dhaka yesterday. Millions of city dwellers leave for their home villages to celebrate Eid al-Adha which will be celebrated in Bangladesh today

By Mizan Rahman
Dhaka
Eid al-Adha, one of the most auspicious festivals in the Islamic calendar, will be celebrated in Bangladesh today.
The Bangladesh government earlier announced a three-day holiday for the officials and employees of government and non-government organisations.
Meanwhile, many city dwellers left the capital Dhaka for their villages to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones, and those stayed back are gearing up for the
festivities.
On the occasion of Eid, Dhaka city streets will be illuminated and national flags to be hoisted atop al buildings.
Eid jamaats (congregations) will be held at different parts of Bangladesh.
In Dhaka, the main congregation will be held at the National Eidgah at about 8:30am. In case of inclement weather, the main congregation will be held at Baitul  Mukarram National Mosque at 9am.
Like previous years, the authorities made a separate arrangement for women at the National Eidgah to join the Eid congregation.
Meanwhile, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages greeted the Muslim Ummah, including the countrymen, on the occasion.
In his message, President Rahman called for following the teachings and ideals of Eid al-Adha in everyday life.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for building a discrimination-free and prosperous peaceful Bangladesh being imbued with the spirit of Eid al-Adha by taking part in
welfare-oriented activities.
On Thursday, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak visited the National Eidgah to see the preparation taken for the main Eid congregation.
During the visit, Dhaka City Corporation officials informed the minister that about 120,000 devotees, including 5,000 females, will be able to join the congregation at the National Eidgah.