Ramadan 2023: When Is Ramzan Starting In India? All You Need To Know About The Holy Month

Ramadan is the Islamic calendar's first celebration, marking a four-week period of fasting; here's what you should know about this holy month in 2023.

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Every year, Muslims all across the world observe Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset for approximately 30 days and partake in nightly communal prayers leading up to Eid al-Fitr, the concluding day of Ramadan. Thus, if you're celebrating Ramadan for the first time this year or want to learn more about this Holy month of Ramadan, this is the place to be.

When Is Ramadan 2023 Starting In India?

The Islamic calendar is based on the phases of the moon, sometimes known as the lunar cycle. As a result, the Holy Month of Ramadan begins around 10 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year.

Ramadan 2023 is slated to begin on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, once the moon is seen above Mecca. Ramadan will end on Friday, April 21, 2023, and the Eid al-Fitr celebrations will begin on Saturday, April 22, 2023, or Sunday, April 23, 2023.

History And Significance: 

Ramadan's beginnings can be traced back to the seventh century, when the Prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran, Islam's holy book, during the month of Ramadan. According to Islamic belief, Muhammad received the Quran on the 27th night of Ramadan, known as Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Strength. Muslims consider Laylat al-Qadr to be the holiest night of the year and believe that praying on this night is more beneficial than praying for a thousand months.

The practise of fasting during Ramadan is based on the Quranic instruction to "fast for a fixed number of days". Throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to refrain from eating, drinking, and other physical requirements during daylight hours. The fast is broken after sundown with a meal known as iftar, which commonly comprises of dates, water, and a light meal. Following the meal, Muslims do the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of Islam's five daily rituals.

Ramadan is also a time for spiritual meditation, prayer, and altruism. During the month, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran, and many mosques offer daily prayers and study groups. Furthermore, throughout Ramadan, Muslims are expected to give to charity, with many mosques and charitable groups organising food drives and other initiatives to assist those in need.