Not all thirty days of fasting during Ramadan has special religious importance but some of the days of the holy month are special.
When we talk about the second day of fasting, it has a sociological importance as people who start fasting for the month gets on track on the second day. The confusion, the physical discomforts and anxiety get settled by the second day of fasting.
The first day, known as ‘thalanombu’ is being observed by even children. Preparations for the first fast is being done around two weeks in advance.
There can be physiological changes in body on the first day of fasting but all these problems start settling down by the second day.
The real bonding of the community starts from the second day as fasting and Iftars become more organised. Everyone gets together to break the fast.
Two very important facts about Ramadan fasting are that it makes people compassionate by letting them know the sufferings of those who are hungry and also it helps people bond better with the people living with them or in the surroundings.
The health benefits of Ramadan fasting have been researched and documented. It has been proved that one month of fasting helps one purify bodily systems.
When they observe fast without even drinking a drop of water throughout the day, that makes them more compassionate, they become more humane and understand the pain of the have-nots.
The customs in observing the fast differ from region to region. In some places, the newly-wed grooms break the fast with their own parents and visit in-laws for breaking the second day fast. In places like Kozhikode, the grooms or Puthiaplas are invited to break the first day’s fast with the in-laws and they feast with their own parents on the second day.
By the second day, they also become more disciplined and their Namases are scheduled properly. Every day of Ramadan becomes special when the people who observe fast identify themselves with those living in poverty who go to bed without a proper meal every day.
(Author is a writer and Sociologist)
