Ramzan, the month of fasting, will start here from Sunday and the Muslim community was all geared up to welcome the holy month with piety and enthusiasm.
While even in the normal times the day-long abstinence from food and water is a challenging exercise, this year it will be more testing as Ramzan is starting at the peak of summer season.
Hyderabad and Telangana are in the grip of intense heatwave for several days and the temperature has crossed 45 degrees at many places including Adilabad, Nizamabad and Nalgonda.
The weather office has warned that the scorching summer heat will continue for a few more days. Situation was likely to change only around June 8 when monsoon was likely to reach Telangana.
As the days are longer during the summer the duration of fasting will also be very long.
The first fast on Sunday will be 14 hours and 48 minutes long as the time of Suhar (early morning meal) will end at 4-11 am and Iftar or breaking fast will be at 6-59 pm.
Meanwhile, thousands of mosques across the state were spruced up for the holy month which witnesses a rush of worshippers. In Hyderabad the historic Mecca Masjid was also decked up with a fresh coat of paint and special arrangements for Taraweeh or the night prayers.
Ramadan was likely to conclude on June 26 and Eidul Fitr will be observed the next day.