Karwa Chauth 2026 will be observed in India on Thursday, October 29. The Chaturthi tithi begins in the early hours of October 29 and concludes later that night, confirming the date of the traditional fast.
In New Delhi, the evening puja muhurat is scheduled from 5:38 pm to 6:56 pm, while the Moon is expected to rise at 8:17 pm. Since moonrise varies from one city to another, devotees should check the timings applicable to their location before beginning the evening rituals.
Karwa Chauth 2026 fasting and puja timings
Karwa Chauth is observed on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi, the fourth day of the waning lunar fortnight in the Hindu month of Kartik. The festival is also called Karva Chauth or Karak Chaturthi.
In New Delhi, the fast is expected to begin at approximately 6:31 am on October 29 and continue until moonrise at 8:17 pm. The total fasting period is estimated at 13 hours and 46 minutes.
Devotees traditionally conduct the evening puja during the designated muhurat, offer prayers and listen to or recite the Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha.
Sargi, puja rituals and fasting rules
The observance generally starts with sargi, a pre-dawn meal traditionally prepared or sent by the mother-in-law. Depending on household and regional customs, it may include fruits, dry fruits, sweets and other food items.
After having sargi, women traditionally refrain from consuming food and water until the Moon is sighted in the evening. Many devotees wear traditional clothes, apply mehendi and arrange a puja thali with a diya, flowers, rice, kumkum, sweets, water and an earthen karwa pot.
During the evening worship, devotees may pray to Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Karwa Mata, depending on family traditions. The ceremony commonly includes the Vrat Katha and prayers for marital well-being.
After sighting the Moon, devotees traditionally offer arghya, or water, to it. In many households, the Moon is viewed through a sieve, followed by a similar view of the husband through the sieve. The fast is then broken, often with the husband giving his wife food and water. The exact order of these practices differs among communities and families.
City-wise Moonrise Timings on October 29
Moonrise will occur at different times across India because of geographical variations. The expected timings for October 29 are:
- New Delhi: 8:17 pm
- Lucknow: 8:06 pm
- Jaipur: 8:28 pm
- Mumbai: 9:00 pm
- Pune: 8:58 pm
- Bengaluru: 8:55 pm
- Hyderabad: 8:41 pm
- Chennai: 8:44 pm
- Kolkata: 7:47 pm
Significance of Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is primarily celebrated in North Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Married women traditionally observe the fast and pray for their husbands’ long life, good health and well-being.
The term ‘Karwa’ refers to the earthen pot traditionally used while offering water, while ‘Chauth’ denotes the fourth lunar day on which the festival is observed.
The festival is linked to several traditional narratives, including the story of Veeravati. In the popular account, Veeravati’s brothers deceive her into believing that the Moon has risen, leading her to break the fast prematurely. The story further says that her husband dies and is later restored to life after her penance.
Another narrative associated with marital devotion is the story of Savitri and Satyavan. Details of these religious stories can vary across traditional retellings.
Health precautions while fasting
The traditional fast may involve avoiding both food and water during daylight hours, but a fluid-free fast is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women, people with diabetes or other health conditions, those taking regular medicines, and breastfeeding women should discuss fasting with a qualified healthcare professional.
People observing the vrat should not stop or alter prescribed medicines without medical advice. Anyone concerned about the impact of fasting should seek guidance on a safe approach before observing the fast.
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