Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted the nation on the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, where Muslims keep a dawn-to-dusk fast.

"On the start of Ramadan, I convey my greetings to people across the world," Modi said.

"The holy month of Ramadan will help in keeping peace, unity and goodwill in the nation," said on his 'Mann ki Baat' radio address.

He also said that people give importance to prayer, spirituality and charity during Ramadan.

"India's cultural diversity is its strength. One-twenty-five crore Indians can take pride that people belonging from all communities of the world are present in the country who reverberate the message of peace, unity and goodwill," Modi said.

He said that in India, people practicing idol worship, people who did not follow idol worship, atheists and people believing in god are all living in peace and harmony. 

"Greetings on the start of Ramadan. May this holy month enhance the spirit of togetherness, peace and harmony across the world," the Prime Minister had tweeted earlier on Sunday.

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, ends with Eid ul-Fitr and normally depending on the calendar it lasts either 29 or 30 days, with sighting of the new moon as the indicator.