Ramadan moon sighting 2026 India Timing: Check city-wise moon time as Ramzaan holy moon sighted in Saudi Arabia

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, has begun in Gulf countries including the UAE and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, February 18, after the crescent moon was sighted. In India and several South Asian countries, Muslims are expected to begin fasting from Thursday, February 19, depending on the local moon sighting later on Wednesday evening.

Ramadan moon sighted in Saudi Arabia

The crescent moon marking the start of Ramadan was sighted in Saudi Arabia, confirming the beginning of the holy month on February 18. The Supreme Court confirmed the sighting, according to Saudi Gazette.

With the sighting, Muslims in Gulf countries started observing the first fast on Wednesday.

Ramadan moon sighting India

India awaits moon sighting tonight. In India, the crescent moon is expected to be visible between 6:15 PM and 6:45 PM IST on Wednesday, February 18, after sunset.

People and Islamic groups will look towards the western sky to spot the moon. If the moon is seen, fasting in India will begin on Thursday, February 19. If it is not visible, the month of Sha’ban will complete 30 days and Ramadan will begin on February 20.

Ramadan moon sighting 2026 India city-wise timing

Moonrise time today (18 February 2026):

North India
New Delhi – 6:18 PM to 6:42 PM
Gurugram – 6:19 PM to 6:43 PM
Chandigarh – 6:20 PM to 6:44 PM
Jaipur – 6:25 PM to 6:48 PM
Lucknow – 6:07 PM to 6:30 PM
Varanasi – 6:02 PM to 6:25 PM

West India
Mumbai – 6:45 PM to 7:10 PM
Pune – 6:40 PM to 7:05 PM
Ahmedabad – 6:40 PM to 7:05 PM
Surat – 6:43 PM to 7:08 PM

South India
Bengaluru – 6:35 PM to 7:00 PM
Hyderabad – 6:25 PM to 6:50 PM
Chennai – 6:10 PM to 6:35 PM
Kochi – 6:20 PM to 6:45 PM
Thiruvananthapuram – 6:22 PM to 6:47 PM

East & Central India
Kolkata – 5:50 PM to 6:15 PM
Bhubaneswar – 5:55 PM to 6:20 PM
Patna – 6:00 PM to 6:25 PM
Bhopal – 6:30 PM to 6:55 PM
Raipur – 6:15 PM to 6:40 PM

Key guidance for viewers of Ramadan Moon sighting

Look just after sunset toward the western horizon

• The moon will be a very thin crescent, low in the sky
• Use binoculars if visibility is poor
• Best chance is within 15–25 minutes after sunset

What Ramadan means for Muslims

Ramadan, also referred to as Ramzan, Ramzaan or Ramazan, is a period of fasting, prayer and reflection observed by Muslims across the world.

The month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon and is marked by daily fasting from dawn to sunset, along with increased prayers and acts of charity.

Prayer and fasting timings for Saudi Arabia on Day 1

According to Islamic Relief, the prayer timings for the first day of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia on February 18 (Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3) are:

Fajr (dawn prayer): 5:08 AM
Sunrise: 6:25 AM
Dhuhr (midday prayer): 12:07 PM
Asr (afternoon prayer): 3:22 PM
Maghrib (sunset prayer): 5:49 PM
Isha (night prayer): 7:01 PM

These timings guide the daily schedule of fasting and prayers during the holy month.

Why Ramadan dates differ across countries

The start of Ramadan differs across regions because it depends on the sighting of the crescent moon.

Usually, the moon is first sighted in Gulf countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Countries like India often begin Ramadan a day later due to geographical differences in moon visibility.

The holy month will now be observed by millions of Muslims worldwide with fasting, prayers and community gatherings over the coming weeks.