Millions of people offered Eid prayers at eidgahs, major mosques and open spaces on Friday morning, seeking divine blessings and peace and progress of the Muslim Ummah.

The devotees also expressed gratitude to almighty Allah for successful observance of the month long fasting during Ramadan. They embraced each other and expressed greetings.

They also visited relatives, friends and exchanged greetings on the day. The city wore a festive look as thousands of delighted people came out of their houses and took part in various enjoyment activities.

The amusement centres, parks, Mirpur National Zoo, museums and open spaces were full of visitors. Children in colourful dresses with their parents went to the parks and relatives' houses.

President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia hosted separate receptions to exchange Eid greetings. Diplomats, high officials, journalists and elites of the society attended the receptions.

The prime minister also exchanged Eid greetings with cross sections of the people on the day. Large number of people including women and children came from far-flung areas to see her and exchange Eid greetings.

The main Eid congregation in the city was held at the National Eidgah on the high court premises attended by the president and senior ministers, elites, religious and social leaders.

Several Eid jamaats were held at the Baitul Mokarram National Mosque from the early morning. The biggest Eid congregation was held in Solakia in Kishoreganj where over three lakh devotees took part in the Eid prayer at a time.

National dailies brought out special supplements on the occasion. The state-owned television and private channels broadcast special amusement programmes. People enjoyed the programmes as the government declared a three-day holiday from Thursday.

Thousands of people, who left Dhaka to celebrate the festival with their relatives and dear ones, are yet to return. The city still gives a deserted look and the main streets were smooth and less crowded than on a normal day.

In government offices opened yesterday, the attendance was very low. Many rooms in the Secretariat were vacant.

Schools, colleges, universities and shops are still closed. Most of the educational institutions will open from the second week of this month.

Resumption of full activities at the private and semi-government offices may take few days more due to restriction on movement of people during the 13th Saarc Summit on November 12-13.

A large number of people are also waiting for another day to join office as the government declared holiday today on the occasion of National Solidarity and Revolution Day.