Pious fasting coincides for Hindus and Muslims

Shastri Yadav Pokhrelji performing prayers for Nag Panchami.

The devout in prayer at Gangtok Jama Masjid

HOLY DAYS OF AUGUST

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 04 Aug: Yesterday was Drukpa Tsheshi, the day which celebrates the first sermon delivered by Gautama Buddha. We are already into the holy month of Ramadan which celebrates the period when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Mohammad. And today, the Hindus joined the Muslims in pious fasting as they celebrated Naga Panchami.
The month-long Ramadan fasting of the Muslims started on 02 August, informs Mohmmad Asgar Ali, the Maulvi at the Gangtok Jama Masjid. The fast is observed from dawn to dusk, while Namaaz is offered as usual five times a day, he added.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and intimacy with their partners during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. Muslims fast for the sake of Allah and to offer more prayers than usual. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an auspicious month for the revelations of God to humankind, being the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.
In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Quran by means of special prayers, called Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Quran is recited. Therefore the entire Quran would be completed at the end of the month.
Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment; this is to establish a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involving the preparation of special foods and inviting people for Iftar.
Today, incidentally, was also Nag Panchami.
Nag Panchami is a festival during which religious Hindus in some parts of India worship either images of or live Nāgas [cobras] on the fifth day after Amavasya of the month of Shraavana. Traditionally, married young women visit their premarital households to celebrate the festival.
The festival falls during the rainy months and is believed to counter the increased possibility of a snake bite during this time. People visit temples specially dedicated to snakes and worship them. Shiva temples are also favoured places for veneration as snakes are considered dear to him.
Naga Panchami is one of the most ancient fasts in India and also finds mention in the Puranas. It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shriven, they ensure freedom from danger for their families.