Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Married women (and many engaged women) will keep a nirjala fast from sunrise until the moon rises, which in Delhi is expected at around 8:05 PM. Below you will find the Karva Chauth 2026 date, tithi timings, city-wise moonrise, puja vidhi, sargi rules and the story behind the fast.
Karva Chauth 2026 Date and Tithi
| Festival | Karva Chauth (Karwa Chauth) |
| Date | Thursday, 29 October 2026 |
| Hindu month | Kartik, Krishna Paksha Chaturthi (Purnimant calendar) |
| Chaturthi tithi | Begins around 1:10 AM and ends around 10:10 PM on 29 October |
| Sunrise (Delhi) | About 6:30 AM |
| Evening puja | After sunset, roughly 5:40 PM to 7:00 PM |
| Moonrise (Delhi) | Around 8:05 PM |
Timings vary by a few minutes between panchangs and by city, so always confirm the local moonrise on the day.
Karva Chauth 2026 Moonrise Time in Major Cities
The moon rises earlier in the east and later in the west. Approximate Karva Chauth 2026 moonrise times:
| City | Approx. moonrise |
|---|---|
| Kolkata | ~7:30 PM |
| Patna / Varanasi | ~7:45 PM |
| Lucknow | ~7:55 PM |
| Delhi / Noida / Gurugram | ~8:05 PM |
| Jaipur / Chandigarh | ~8:10 PM |
| Amritsar | ~8:15 PM |
| Ahmedabad | ~8:25 PM |
| Mumbai / Pune | ~8:30 PM |
Cloudy sky? Many families break the fast at the calculated moonrise time or after seeing the moon on a live stream, following their elders’ tradition.
What Is Karva Chauth?
Karva Chauth is a one-day fast observed mainly in North and West India — Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat — and by Indian families worldwide. Wives pray for the long life, health and prosperity of their husbands. Karva means an earthen pot and Chauth means the fourth day, referring to the Chaturthi tithi after Sharad Purnima.
Sargi: The Pre-Dawn Meal
The day starts before sunrise with sargi, a meal traditionally given by the mother-in-law. It usually includes:
- Dry fruits and fresh fruit for slow energy.
- Pheni or seviyan cooked in milk.
- Mathri, parathas or poha.
- Coconut water or milk for hydration.
- Shringar items – bangles, sindoor, bindi and a saree or suit.
Eat sargi before sunrise, then the nirjala fast (no food or water) begins.
Karva Chauth Puja Vidhi (Step by Step)
- Get ready in solah shringar – many brides wear their wedding outfit and fresh mehndi.
- Prepare the puja thali with a karva (clay or metal pot) filled with water, diya, roli, rice, sweets, a sieve (channi) and flowers.
- Draw or place an image of Karva Mata, along with Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya.
- Gather for the evening puja with other women, pass thalis in a circle (the pheri) while singing traditional songs.
- Listen to the Karva Chauth katha (story of Veervati).
- At moonrise, offer arghya (water) to the moon, look at it through the sieve, then look at your husband through the same sieve.
- Break the fast when the husband offers the first sip of water and a sweet.
Karva Chauth Vrat Katha: The Story of Veervati
Veervati, the only sister of seven brothers, kept her first Karva Chauth fast at her parents’ home. As evening came she grew weak from hunger and thirst. Unable to watch her suffer, her brothers created a false moon with a lamp behind a tree. Believing it was the moon, Veervati broke her fast — and soon received news that her husband had died. Heartbroken, she prayed to Goddess Parvati, who revealed the deception and told her to keep the fast again with full devotion. Through her faith and a year of prayer, her husband’s life was restored. The story is why women wait for the real moon, no matter how late it rises.
Karva Chauth Fasting Rules
- Eat sargi before sunrise; after that avoid food and water until moonrise.
- Pregnant women, new mothers and anyone with a health condition should keep a phalahar (fruit-and-water) fast or follow medical advice.
- Avoid sharp objects like scissors and needles, as per tradition.
- Wear red, maroon, pink or gold – colours of marriage; many avoid black and white.
- Rest and stay cool during the day to manage fatigue.
Karva Chauth 2026: Quick Timeline of the Day
- Before 6:30 AM – sargi and sankalp (vow).
- Daytime – rest, mehndi, dressing up.
- 5:40 – 7:00 PM – evening puja and katha.
- ~8:05 PM (Delhi) – moon sighting and breaking the fast.
Looking for messages? Share these 120 Karwa Chauth wishes for husband and wife.
Karva Chauth 2026 FAQ
When is Karva Chauth in 2026?
Karva Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
What time will the moon rise on Karva Chauth 2026?
Around 8:05 PM in Delhi, earlier in eastern cities and later in the west. Check your local panchang for the exact minute.
Can unmarried girls keep the Karva Chauth fast?
Yes. Many unmarried and engaged women keep the fast for a good life partner, often breaking it by looking at the stars or the moon.
Can husbands keep the fast too?
Increasingly, yes — many husbands now fast alongside their wives as a gesture of love and equality.
Send your blessings with our Karva Chauth wishes and messages, and plan the rest of the season with our Dhanteras wishes and Diwali wishes. Read more about the festival’s background on Wikipedia.
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