Early Eid-ul-Fitr namaz planned amid heatwave in Patna

PATNA: With mercury wreaking havoc in the city, the timings for Eid namaz have been revised this time. At Gandhi Maidan, Eid namaz will start at 7.30 am. Muslim devotees will also listen to "khutba", a special sermon, at the venue.
Eidain Committee president Mahmood Alam said for past 10 years, Eid namaz was being offered at Gandhi Maidan from 8am. "The namaz, however, will start at 7.30am this time due extreme hot weather conditions prevailing in the city.The namaz and 'khutba' will get over by 8.10 am," Alam said "At least 25000 people offer Eid namaz at Gandhi Maidan every year. Proper arrangements have been made for them this time too.
At Haj Bhawan, the namaz will start at 7.15 am. An official said the venue has the capacity to accommodate 2,000 devotees. "The cleaning and carpeting work is going on. Alvida juma will be performed on Friday," said a senior official. He appealed to the people to reach the venue on time, cooperate with officials engaged in maintaining law and order and refrain from creating any ruckus.
Preparations for Eid namaz have also begun at Shahi Eidgah at Gulzarbagh in Patna City. Built during Mughal era, namaz is offered twice a year in this Eidgah in a year, once during Eid and another on Bakrid.
President of Shahi Eidgah and Imam S S Misbahul Haque said the namaz would start at 8am followed by 'khutba'. "The cleaning work is going on," Haque said, adding at least 30000 people visit the Eidgah to offer namaz.