Ramadan 2026 in India: Moon Sighting Tonight, Expected Start Date, and Full Sehri-Iftar Calendar

Ramadan doesn't come with a noise. It starts with a sighting with no preallocated arrival date written on a wall calendar. A weak crescent, barely there, heralds the onset of something spiritually heavy for millions worldwide. But to an extent, the wait in India has now settled around the evening of February 18, 2026, with communities getting ready to fast for the month ahead. On this day in

When will Ramadan 2026 start In India? 

As the holy month has begun in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait Wednesday, February 18, India typically observes the moon a day later. Astronomical estimation says crescent will be visible from 6:15 PM to 6:45 PM IST in India tonight.

• If seen today: The first fast (Roza) will be observed on Thursday, February 19.
• If not seen: Sha’ban will conclude 30 days, and Ramadan will officially begin on Friday, February 20. 

Across Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Lucknow, the courtyards and rooftops of mosques are set to be lined up with onlookers gazing west to the horizon.

The Spiritual Weight of the Fast

Ramadan is not just a change in how people are going about their lives; it is a spiritual reset. For months about four days 29 to 30 the emphasis is on discipline and gratitude. Fasting from dawn to dusk also known as Roza is a key part of this life stage. It is an exercise of not only restraint over food and drink, but also over behavior, speech.

Along with fasts, increased charitable events (Zakat), Quran recitations, and nightly Taraweeh prayers, the rhythm of the month is defined. From the Routine: Sehri and Iftar. For a new to practice or preparing for the month: Two basic phases shape everyday life for people who are brand new to the tradition:

Sehri (The Meal Before the Dawn)

Sehri is a practical meal meant to meet your needs in the quiet hours before first light and so needs to be eaten. High protein food, fruit, and plenty of water are important to maintain energy levels during the fast of 13-to-14-hour. Iftar (Breaking the Fast): The “common exhale” takes place at sunset. As the Maghrib call to prayer sounds, families come together.

The fast, in line with the traditions of the Prophet, usually is terminated by eating dates and drinking water first and then local delicacies of local origin such as the fruit chaat, pakoras and haleem. Over its length Ramadan eventually gives itself to a constant, purposeful patterned repetition. This is an experience not to be performed or blared, but deeply personal and collectively borne.

Ramadan 2026 Calendar