NEW DELHI, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic holy month of fasting, Ramadan, began Sunday across India.
The formal announcements regarding the beginning of Ramadan were made by grand Muslim jurists in almost all the states of India on late Friday evening.
On Saturday night, practicing Muslims thronged mosques in their neighborhood to offer special prayers.
Muslims follow the lunar calendar. The Muslim lunar calendar advances by 10 days every year in comparison to the solar calendar which remains unchanged.
For one month, devout Muslims all over the world abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset. After dusk, Muslims break their fast by drinking water and sharing a meal, often with family and friends.
The month of Ramadan would end with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. ■
