Feature: Exodus of Dhaka residents to home villages on eve of Eid-ul Fitr

On the eve of Eid-ul Fitr, the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and Islam's biggest festival, millions of Bangladesh people braved every conceivable discomfort on creaky and congested transport in river ports, bus and train stations, to return to their home villages to celebrate the festivity with their loved ones.

The Muslim majority in Bangladesh will celebrate Eid-ul Fitr, the holiest and biggest religious festival among the world's Muslims, on or around July 18 or 19 based on the sighting of the new moon.

Dhaka's normally busy streets saw less traffic on Thursday although road leading to dozens of shopping malls and terminals were clogged with vehicles.

The capital was virtually deserted on the day as millions of city residents started their annual exodus to the provinces. Many residents have actually started their journey home three days earlier to avoid the mad rush.

While passengers crowded ferry, train and bus terminals, other city residents who had their own cars or hired vehicles were making their last-minute shopping and business transactions before their long road trip home.

Tight security measures were noticed in parts of Dhaka to ensure the safety of the home-goers and their return, and, especially, to ensure security at their houses, shopping malls, markets and houses, during the Eid vacation.

Many flocked to the bus, railway and riverboat terminals in the capital city even without tickets or passes.

"I'll try to get a ticket to go my home village to celebrate Eid-ul Fitr with my loved ones. I hope I can get a ticket at the port," said Abdur Rahim while approaching Dhaka's Sadarghat, one of the largest river ports in the world.

On Thursday, the long distance bus stations, ferry terminals and train stations were seen overflowing with home-bound passengers. Many poor people, who could not afford to buy tickets, were forced to occupy the roof tops of buses, trains and ferries.

Photographs of several ferries, trains and buses published in newspapers Thursday showed lots of people risking their lives by clinging perilously on the rails of ferries and trains.

Despite the danger and the hassles, many Bangladeshi people are happy and excited to join their families in the provinces during Eid-ul Fitr.

"We're used to this kind of trouble in going home during Eid. To avoid hassle, about a week earlier I sent my family members ahead to my hometown," said Rahim Miah.

He said he had been at the bus terminal for hours patiently waiting for a chance to get a bus ride to his village. "I don't mind waiting for hours here. I do this every year because I want to be with my relatives during the festivity," he said.

The Bangladeshi government usually declares a three-day holiday during Eid-ul Fitr. Endi