Mangaluru: Ramadan 1436 began for the Muslims living across Coastal Karnataka and Kerala as  the crescent moon was spotted on Wednesday evening near Kasaragod, despite cloud cover.

Coincidentally, the holy month has begun in the coastal region and many Gulf countries together this time.

The Thakbeer was pronounced from the minarets of the mosques across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi after Maghrib Namaz, as local Khazis declared that Thursday will be the start of the blessed month.

Muslims in Mangaluru were seen greeting each other on the beginning of the holy month and rushing to Masjids in large numbers for their first Taraveeh.

Thwaqa Ahmed Musliar, the Khazi of Dakshina Kannada district, while conveying Ramadan greetings urged the Muslims to engage themselves with prayers, fasting and spiritual introspection throughout the month.