Lucknow, July 18 (IANS): Muslims across Uttar Pradesh on Saturday celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with religious fervour and gaiety.

Muslims thronged various mosques across in state to offer prayers and later wished each other on Eid, which comes after a month of fasting during Ramadaan.

Devouts while offering prayers sought forgiveness from the almighty for their sins and peace for the country.

Thousands of women offered namaaz at a mosque in Meerpur in Kanpur. This mosque exclusively allows women to offer prayers.

Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav visited the Aisbagh Eidgah and mingled with the crowds and wished them on the festival.

In his message, the governor said the festival highlighted universal brotherhood and peace.

He said not only on the festival but such a feeling of oneness should prevail throughout the year and always.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the environment of love and affection for each other would prevail throughout the year and all sections of the society would contribute in the development and progress of the state.

A home department official said so far the celebration was peaceful in the state.