Agartala, Oct 18 (ANI): Devout Muslims across India's northeastern states congregated at mosques to offer prayers on the occasion of the feast of Eid-al-Adha on Wednesday. Believers offer domestic animals as a ritual sacrifice to the Almighty to mark this festival. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Abraham was blessed with a son, Ishmael, at a very advanced age and nurtured a deep love for the boy. The event commemorates Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. The ritual of sacrifice symbolises obedience and loyalty to God. Muslims worldwide traditionally slaughter a four-legged animal in commemoration. The meat is then distributed among the family and neighbours as well as the poor and the needy. But before the sacrifice, men, women and children flock to mosques around the country to take part in the prayers. Eid also marks the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca and is considered to be a day of joy, since martyrdom itself is a blessing.