Ramadan 2026: Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and spiritual reflection observed by Muslims around the world, is underway. The Islamic month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of fasting and other religious practices associated with the period.
Usually, the crescent moon is sighted first in the Gulf countries and parts of the West, while India and several neighboring countries start celebrating Ramadan a day later. In India, the holy month began on Thursday, February 19, marking a time of prayer, charity, contemplation and spiritual renewal for millions of Muslims across the country.
Fasting during Ramadan is considered one of the five pillars of Islam and has deep religious significance. From dawn to dusk, practicing Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in harmful thoughts or actions. The season of fasting is meant to strengthen faith, encourage self-discipline and encourage compassion for the less fortunate.
What are Sehri and Iftar?
Two important meals define the daily routine during Ramadan – Sehri and Iftar.
Sehri, also known as Suhoor, is a pre-dawn meal eaten before the Fajr (morning) prayer. This meal marks the beginning of the day’s fast and must be completed before sunrise.
Iftar, on the other hand, is the meal with which Muslims break their fast after sunset. The fast is traditionally started with dates and water, followed by Maghrib (evening) prayer followed by a larger meal shared with family and community members.
Since sunrise and sunset times vary from place to place, the timings of Sehri and Iftar vary from city to city. For example, a fasting schedule in Delhi will be slightly different from that of Mumbai, Bengaluru or Lucknow due to geographical differences.
As Ramadan progresses, these timings also change slightly each day.
Sehri and Iftar Timings in Major Indian Cities (March 16, 2026)
Here are the Sehri and Iftar times for Sunday March 16 in some major Indian cities:
Delhi
- City: 05:11
- Iftar: 18:31
mumbai
- City: 05:34
- Iftar: 18:48
Bengaluru
- City: 05:16
- Iftar: 6:30 p.m
Lucknow
- City: 04:58
- Iftar: 18:15
These times mark the beginning and end of the daily fasting period for Muslims observing Ramadan.
Importance of fasting during Ramadan
Fasting during Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink. It is also a time for increased prayer, self-reflection, and acts of charity.
Muslims are encouraged to spend more time reading the Qur’an, performing additional prayers and helping those in need. The Moon emphasizes spiritual growth, patience and gratitude.
Many families also gather to pray and eat together during Iftar, making Ramadan a deeply social and spiritual experience.
As the holy month continues, believers across India will observe their daily fast from Sehri before sunrise to Iftar at sunset, maintaining traditions that have been followed for generations.
