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{{Short description|Eve of Eid al-Fitr}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{For|the religious observance|Laylat al-Jaiza}}
{{Infobox holiday
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name  = Chaand Raat
| holiday_name  = Chaand Raat
|type          = Islamic
| type          = South Asian
|longtype      = [[Islamic holidays|Islamic]]
| longtype      = ([[South Asia]])
|image        = Moon crescent on the eve of Eid on 24 may 2020.jpg
| image        = Moon crescent on the eve of Eid on 24 may 2020.jpg
|caption      = A crescent moon  marking the beginning of the [[Eid al-Fitr]] in 2020
| caption      = A crescent moon  marking the beginning of the [[Eid al-Fitr]] in 2020
|observedby    = [[Muslims]]
| observedby    = [[Muslims]]
|relatedto    = [[Ramadan]],  [[Eid al-Fitr]], [[Eid al-Adha]]
| relatedto    = [[Eid al-Fitr]], [[Eid al-Adha]]
| date          =
}}
}}
'''''Chaand Raat''''' ({{Lang-bn|চাঁদ রাত}}, {{Lang-hi|चाँद रात}}, {{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|چاند رات}}|lit=Night of the moon}}) is a [[South Asia]] [[Figure of speech|locution]], used for the eve of the [[Muslim]] festival of [[Eid ul-Fitr]]; it can also mean a night with a new moon for the new Islamic month [[Shawwal]]. Chaand Raat is a time of celebration when families and friends gather in open areas at the end of the last day of [[Ramadan]] to spot the [[new moon]], which signals the arrival of the [[Islam]]ic [[month]] of [[Shawwal]] and the day of Eid. Once the moon is sighted, people wish each other ''Chaand Raat Mubarak'' ("Have a blessed night of the new moon") or ''[[Eid Mubarak]]'' ("Blessings of the Eid day"). Women and girls decorate their hands with [[mehndi]] ([[henna]]), and people prepare desserts for the next day of Eid and do last rounds of shopping.<ref name="The News">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/212876-Chand-Raat-is-here-again|title='Chand Raat' is here again|author=Jamila Achakzai|publisher=The News|access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref> City streets have a festive look, and brightly decorated malls and markets remain open late into the night.<ref name="Web Chutney">{{cite news|url=http://www.webchutney.pk/12-things-that-only-pakistanis-do-on-chand-raat/|title=12 Things That Only Pakistanis Do on Chand Raat|author=Adeela Akmal|publisher=Web Chutney|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234750/http://www.webchutney.pk/12-things-that-only-pakistanis-do-on-chand-raat/|archive-date=13 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Times of India">{{cite news|url =http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/lucknow-times/city-gears-for-chand-raat/articleshow/30303491.cms| title =City gears for Chand Raat|work =The Times of India|access-date =2009-08-01|date=5 December 2002}}</ref> ''Chaand Raat'' is celebrated festively and passionately by Muslims (and occasionally non-Muslims as well) all over South Asia, and in socio-cultural significance, is comparable to [[Christmas Eve]].
'''Chaand Raat''' ({{IPA|hns|t͡ʃãːd̪ ɾaːt̪|lang}}, {{lit|Night of the moon}}) is a [[South Asia]]n Cultural observance on the eve of the festival of [[Eid al-Fitr]]; it can also mean a night with a [[new moon]] for the new [[Islamic calendar|Islamic month]] [[Shawwal]]. Chaand Raat is a time of celebration when families and friends gather in open areas at the end of the last day of [[Ramadan]] to spot the new moon, which signals the arrival of the Islamic month of Shawwal and the day of Eid. Once the moon is sighted, people wish each other ''[[Eid Mubarak]]'' ("Blessings of the Eid day"). Women and girls decorate their hands with [[mehndi]] ([[henna]]), and people prepare [[Dessert|desserts]] for the next day of Eid and do last rounds of [[shopping]].<ref name="The News">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/212876-Chand-Raat-is-here-again|title='Chand Raat' is here again|author=Jamila Achakzai|work=The News|access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref> City streets have a festive look, and brightly decorated malls and markets remain open late into the night.<ref name="Express Tribune">{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2355230/chand-raat-brings-joys-to-shoppers-traders|title=Chand Raat brings joys to shoppers, traders|author=Aamir Khan|newspaper=Express Tribune|access-date=30 November 2022|date=3 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503045926/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2355230/chand-raat-brings-joys-to-shoppers-traders|archive-date=3 May 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Times of India">{{cite news|url =http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/lucknow-times/city-gears-for-chand-raat/articleshow/30303491.cms| title =City gears for Chand Raat|work =The Times of India|access-date =2009-08-01|date=5 December 2002}}</ref> ''Chaand Raat'' is celebrated festively and passionately by [[Muslims]] (and occasionally non-Muslims as well) all over South Asia, and in socio-cultural significance, is comparable to [[Christmas Eve]].


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
[[Image:Chand raat.jpg|thumb|A ''Chaand Raat'' celebration in [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]], [[India]]]]
[[Image:Chand raat.jpg|thumb|A ''Chaand Raat'' celebration in [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]], [[India]]]]
The term is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] words ''candrá'' (चंद्र) "[[moon]]"<ref name="spokensanskrit.de (moon)">{{cite web|url =http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&tinput=%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0&country_ID=&trans=Translate&direction=AU| title =चन्द्र, candra, moon|publisher =Spoken Sanskrit Dictionary|access-date =2009-08-01}}</ref> and ''rā́tri'' (रात्रि) "[[night]]".<ref name="spokensanskrit.de (night)">{{cite web|url =http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=raatri&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes| title =रात्रि, raatri, night|publisher =Spoken Sanskrit Dictionary|access-date =2009-08-01}}</ref>
The term is derived from the [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] ''chānd rāt'' ({{Langx|hi|चाँद रात|label=[[Devanagari]]}}, {{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|چاند رات}}|label=[[Nastaliq|Nastaʼlīq]]}}), literally translating to 'moon night'. The two words in the term are derived from the [[Sanskrit]] words ''candrá'' (चंद्र) "[[moon]]"<ref name="spokensanskrit.de (moon)">{{cite web|url =http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&tinput=%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0&country_ID=&trans=Translate&direction=AU| title =चन्द्र, candra, moon|publisher =Spoken Sanskrit Dictionary|access-date =2009-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719090618/http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?script=HK&tinput=%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0&country_ID=&trans=Translate&direction=AU|archive-date=2011-07-19}}</ref> and ''rā́tri'' (रात्रि) "[[night]]",<ref name="spokensanskrit.de (night)">{{cite web|url =http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=raatri&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes| title =रात्रि, raatri, night|publisher =Spoken Sanskrit Dictionary|access-date =2009-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719090759/http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=raatri&direction=SE&script=HK&link=yes|archive-date=2011-07-19}}</ref> respectively.


==Background==
==Background==
''Chaand Raat'' celebrations occur on the eve of Eid ul-Fitr, which is celebrated on 1 [[Shawwal]]. The beginning of an Islamic month depends on the first sighting of the lunar crescent and thus the month of Ramadan can be of either 29 or 30 days. The new moon is announced by the [[Ruet-e-Hilal Committee]] and Chaand Raat occurs on the same evening (on which first lunar crescent of the month of Shawwal is observed). As the exact day of Eid ul-Fitr is dependent on the moon sighting, Chaand Raat is considered more festive on Eid ul-Fitr than [[Eid ul-Adha]], which is known well in advance.
''Chaand Raat'' celebrations occur on the eve of Eid ul-Fitr, which is celebrated on 1 Shawwal. Originated in [[South Asia]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thedailystar.net/shout/chaand-raat-old-dhaka-112417 | title=Chaand Raat in Old Dhaka | date=16 July 2015 }}</ref> the beginning of an Islamic month depends on the first sighting of the lunar crescent and thus the month of Ramadan can be of either 29 or 30 days. Chaand Raat occurs on the same evening on which first lunar crescent of the month of Shawwal is observed. As the exact day of Eid ul-Fitr is dependent on the moon sighting, Chaand Raat is often considered more festive on Eid ul-Fitr than [[Eid ul-Adha]], which is known well in advance.


==Festivities==
==Festivities==
As soon as the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announces the sighting of the new moon, announcements are made from [[mosques]], television channels and radio stations. Festivities begin almost instantly and continue all night until the morning Fajr prayer. Entire families head out towards the local bazaars, markets and shopping malls. Women usually purchase items such as [[Shalwar Kameez]], bangles, jewellery and bags while men mostly concentrate on shoes. Gifts and sweets are brought for friends while toys are brought for children. Barbar shops and beauty parlors are also heavily visited in the evening in preparation for the following day. Women and girls decorate their hands with mehndi as well. Decorative lights are put up in markets as well as government buildings, banks and mosques. Chaand Raat also gives a chance for people to meet with friends and extended family.<ref name="Shugal.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.shughal.com/13-times-pakistanis-go-wild-on-every-chaand-raat/|title=13 Times Pakistanis Go Wild on Every Chaand Raat|author=S.K. Pakistan|publisher=Shugal.com|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124215924/https://www.shughal.com/13-times-pakistanis-go-wild-on-every-chaand-raat/|archive-date=24 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Once the new moon is sighted, announcements are made from [[mosques]], as well as through television and radio broadcasts. Festivities begin almost instantly and continue all night until the morning Fajr prayer. Entire families head out towards the local bazaars, markets and shopping malls. Shoppers usually purchase last-minute items for Eid, such as [[shalwar kameez]], [[Bangle|bangles]], jewelry, bags, and shoes. Gifts and sweets are brought for friends while toys are brought for children. Barber shops and beauty parlors are also heavily visited in the evening in preparation for the following day. At home, women and girls decorate their hands with mehndi. People also decorate their homes and begin preparing food for the holiday. Decorative lights are put up in markets as well as government buildings, banks and mosques. Chaand Raat also gives a chance for people to meet with friends and extended family.
[[File:ꠘꠥꠘꠉꠠꠣ_ꠀꠞ_ꠢꠣꠘ꠆ꠖꠦꠡ.jpg|thumb|right|[[Handesh]] are made on Chaand Raat for the celebration of the next day's celebration of [[Eid Al Fitr]] in [[Culture of Bengal| Bengali culture]]]]


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Laylat al-Jaiza]]
* [[Festivals in Bangladesh]]
* [[Festivals in Pakistan]]
* [[Festivals in Pakistan]]
* [[Festivals in India]]
* [[Ruet-e-Hilal Committee]]
* [[Ruet-e-Hilal Committee]]
* [[Islam in South Asia]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.chandraat.com/ Official Chand Raat in Australia ]
*[http://www.chandraat.com/ Official Chand Raat in Australia]
*[http://www.faentertainments.com/ Official Chand Raat Mela in Virginia ]
*[http://moonsighting.com/ Moon sighting curves]


{{Ramadan|state=expanded}}
{{Ramadan|state=expanded}}

Latest revision as of 01:03, 2 March 2026


Chaand Raat
A crescent moon marking the beginning of the Eid al-Fitr in 2020
Observed byMuslims
Type(South Asia)
Related toEid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha

Chaand Raat (hns, lit. 'Night of the moon') is a South Asian Cultural observance on the eve of the festival of Eid al-Fitr; it can also mean a night with a new moon for the new Islamic month Shawwal. Chaand Raat is a time of celebration when families and friends gather in open areas at the end of the last day of Ramadan to spot the new moon, which signals the arrival of the Islamic month of Shawwal and the day of Eid. Once the moon is sighted, people wish each other Eid Mubarak ("Blessings of the Eid day"). Women and girls decorate their hands with mehndi (henna), and people prepare desserts for the next day of Eid and do last rounds of shopping.[1] City streets have a festive look, and brightly decorated malls and markets remain open late into the night.[2][3] Chaand Raat is celebrated festively and passionately by Muslims (and occasionally non-Muslims as well) all over South Asia, and in socio-cultural significance, is comparable to Christmas Eve.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

A Chaand Raat celebration in Hyderabad, India

The term is derived from the Hindustani chānd rāt (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), literally translating to 'moon night'. The two words in the term are derived from the Sanskrit words candrá (चंद्र) "moon"[4] and rā́tri (रात्रि) "night",[5] respectively.

Background[edit | edit source]

Chaand Raat celebrations occur on the eve of Eid ul-Fitr, which is celebrated on 1 Shawwal. Originated in South Asia,[6] the beginning of an Islamic month depends on the first sighting of the lunar crescent and thus the month of Ramadan can be of either 29 or 30 days. Chaand Raat occurs on the same evening on which first lunar crescent of the month of Shawwal is observed. As the exact day of Eid ul-Fitr is dependent on the moon sighting, Chaand Raat is often considered more festive on Eid ul-Fitr than Eid ul-Adha, which is known well in advance.

Festivities[edit | edit source]

Once the new moon is sighted, announcements are made from mosques, as well as through television and radio broadcasts. Festivities begin almost instantly and continue all night until the morning Fajr prayer. Entire families head out towards the local bazaars, markets and shopping malls. Shoppers usually purchase last-minute items for Eid, such as shalwar kameez, bangles, jewelry, bags, and shoes. Gifts and sweets are brought for friends while toys are brought for children. Barber shops and beauty parlors are also heavily visited in the evening in preparation for the following day. At home, women and girls decorate their hands with mehndi. People also decorate their homes and begin preparing food for the holiday. Decorative lights are put up in markets as well as government buildings, banks and mosques. Chaand Raat also gives a chance for people to meet with friends and extended family.

Handesh are made on Chaand Raat for the celebration of the next day's celebration of Eid Al Fitr in Bengali culture

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Jamila Achakzai. "'Chand Raat' is here again". The News. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  2. Aamir Khan (3 May 2022). "Chand Raat brings joys to shoppers, traders". Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  3. "City gears for Chand Raat". The Times of India. 5 December 2002. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  4. "चन्द्र, candra, moon". Spoken Sanskrit Dictionary. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  5. "रात्रि, raatri, night". Spoken Sanskrit Dictionary. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  6. "Chaand Raat in Old Dhaka". 16 July 2015.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Ramadan