Hyderabad: Milad-un-Nabi, which is usually celebrated across India with great enthusiasm, appears to be relatively muted, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Milad-un-Nabi marks the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad and is observed in the month of Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.
To commemorate the occasion, people decorate their localities, mosques and houses.
However, processions were not allowed in many cities due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Aurangabad in Maharashtra had been witnessing a grand procession which used to be attended by a large number of devotees, for the past 30 years. However, with the procession being denied permission this year, many devotees have been left disappointed.
If the COVID restrictions were not enough, the recent rain and flood which devastated Hyderabad, have further dampened the mood in the city.
Hyderabad, which used to be decorated throughout the entire Rabi' al-awwal month, wore a relatively drab look this year as residents are yet to recover from the damage caused by the floods.
Read: Leaders extend wishes on Milad-un-Nabi
In the city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Rabi' al-awwal is celebrated with much enthusiasm -- replete with decorations, Naat recitations, and speeches.
This year, the district administration has imposed restrictions on processions and programmes today to avoid large gatherings in mosques and public places.
However, although toned down, celebrations were still held in locations across the country.
Eid Milad-un-Nabi was celebrated in an elegant manner in Karnataka's Gulbarga. The youth of Sangtrash Wari area of the city had begun preparations for the celebration two months in advance.
Earlier in the day, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Eid-Milad-un-Nabi.
