Ramadan 2026 Calendar: Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, began in India from today, 19 February, after the crescent moon was sighted on Wednesday evening. Practicing Muslims in India observe dawn-to-dusk fasting and offer special prayers during the month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his greetings to the people on Ramzan and said the auspicious month furthers the spirit of togetherness in the society.
“Ramzan Mubarak! May this auspicious month further the spirit of togetherness in our society. May there be peace and prosperity everywhere,” Modi said in a post on X.
Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar (Hijri), and fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The duration of the day-long fast depends on the sunrise and sunset timings. Muslims eat before sunrise, called Sehri, and desist from eating, drinking, smoking and having marital relations until sunset when they break the fast with another meal called Iftar.
Sehri and Iftar timings of Ramadan 2026
Sehri is the pre-fast meal before sunrise. Indian Muslims had their first Sehri of Ramadan 2026 today. Sehri timings, which mark the beginning of the fast, vary from day to day and change each day according to Sunrise in a particular city.
On Thursday, for example, the Sehri timing in Delhi was 5.37 AM. This means people who observed fast can eat whatever they can until 5.37 AM. They cannot eat after this time until Iftar in the evening. In Hyderabad, the Sehri timing on Thursday was 5.27 AM.
What is the Sehri dua or supplication?
While there is no single mandatory, fixed dua, it is commonly practiced to make a sincere intention in the heart to fast.
A widely accepted and recommended intention (dua) for fasting is: ‘Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan’, which loosely translates to “I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan”.
Ramzan Mubarak! May this auspicious month further the spirit of togetherness in our society.
The timings also vary between Sunnis and Shias by a few minutes.
In Mumbai. Muslims of the Sunni community will break their fasts on Thursday at 6.40 PM, while in Bengaluru it will be 6.26 PM.
