Karwa Chauth 2026: Date, Moonrise Time, Puja Muhurat & Vidhi
Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October. It is one of the most significant fasting festivals for married Hindu women, observed for the long life and wellbeing of the husband, and concluded only after sighting the moon in the evening. Want a pandit to guide your Karwa Chauth Katha and Puja? Book a Pandit on Prayfullit now.
Important date note: Panchang sources disagree on the exact date this year — some list 28 October, others 29 October. Please verify the Chaturthi tithi and moonrise timing for your city on Drik Panchang before publishing, since this affects the fast timing directly.
This guide covers the exact date, fasting hours, moonrise time, puja muhurat, Sargi, vrat katha and complete puja vidhi.
Karwa Chauth 2026: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival | Karwa Chauth |
| Date | Thursday, 29 October 2026 |
| Tithi | Kartik Krishna Paksha Chaturthi |
| Fast (Nirjala Vrat) Timing | ~6:31 AM to moonrise |
| Puja Muhurat (Delhi) | ~5:38 PM to 6:57 PM |
| Moonrise Time (Delhi) | ~8:18 PM (approx.) |
| Dedicated to | Goddess Parvati (Gauri) and Chandra Dev (Moon God) |
Moonrise timing varies by city — by 15 to 45 minutes depending on location. Confirm the exact moonrise time for your city before publishing.
What Is Karwa Chauth?
Karwa Chauth is a Nirjala Vrat (fast without food or water) observed by married Hindu women, mainly across North India, for the long life, health and prosperity of their husbands. The fast runs from before sunrise until the moon is sighted in the evening — making it one of the more demanding vrats of the year.
While traditionally observed only by wives, many husbands today also fast alongside their wives as a gesture of love and equal partnership.
Karwa Chauth Timeline for 2026
- Sargi (pre-dawn meal): Eaten before sunrise, prepared and given by the mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law
- Fast begins: Around 6:31 AM, with no food or water for the rest of the day
- Karwa Chauth Puja: Performed in the evening, around 5:38 PM to 6:57 PM, with other married women in the neighbourhood or family
- Moon sighting: The fast is broken only after sighting the moon, around 8:18 PM in Delhi
- Fast is broken: The husband offers the first sip of water and a morsel of food to his wife, ending the vrat
Sargi: The Pre-Dawn Ritual
Sargi is the meal eaten before sunrise on Karwa Chauth, traditionally prepared by the mother-in-law and given to the daughter-in-law before the fast begins. It typically includes:
- Fruits, dry fruits and sweets
- Feni or vermicelli (seviyan)
- Mathri or other light savouries
- Coconut water or a light beverage before the water fast begins
Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi
- Prepare the puja thali with a Karwa (small earthen pot), diya, incense, roli, rice, sweets and a sieve (chalni).
- Gather with other women in the evening, usually seated in a circle for the Katha.
- Listen to or narrate the Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha, most commonly the story of Queen Veervati.
- Worship Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha, offering flowers, roli and sweets.
- Exchange Baya (a plate of gifts and sweets) with the mother-in-law or elder women in the family.
- At moonrise, view the moon through a sieve, then look at your husband's face through the same sieve.
- Offer water (Arghya) to the moon, and let your husband give you the first sip of water and a bite of food to break the fast.
The Legend of Karwa Chauth
The most widely told legend is that of Queen Veervati, who began her first Karwa Chauth fast at her parents' home. Her brothers, unable to see her suffer, tricked her into believing the moon had risen by creating a false reflection with a mirror and a fire behind a tree. She broke her fast early, and her husband fell gravely ill soon after. Her devotion and penance eventually moved Goddess Parvati and Lord Yama to restore her husband's life, reinforcing the belief that completing the fast without shortcuts protects the husband's life and wellbeing.
Karwa Chauth Fasting Rules
- The fast is Nirjala — no food or water is taken from before sunrise until moonrise
- Sargi is eaten before sunrise, before the fast formally begins
- The fast can only be broken after sighting the moon, or in some traditions, the stars if the moon is not visible due to weather
- Pregnant women, those unwell, or with medical conditions may modify the fast under medical guidance while still observing the puja rituals
What to Wear for Karwa Chauth
- Traditional festive colours — red, maroon, pink or orange — for the puja and moon-sighting
- A saree, lehenga or salwar suit, paired with bridal-style jewellery, sindoor and mehendi
- Comfortable, lightweight clothing for the daytime portion of the fast, since it can be a long day without food or water
Book a Pandit for Karwa Chauth 2026 with Prayfullit
Whether you want a pandit to guide the Karwa Chauth Katha, conduct a group society puja, or explain the vidhi for your family tradition, Prayfullit connects you with experienced, verified pandits.
- Book Karwa Chauth Katha and Puja guidance
- Get the correct moonrise and puja muhurat for your city
- Arrange group or society Karwa Chauth pujas
Book Your Pandit for Karwa Chauth or Talk to Our Team to plan your vrat.
Conclusion
Karwa Chauth on 29 October 2026 is a day of devotion, tradition and celebration for married women across North India. Book Your Pandit on Prayfullit for Katha guidance, or explore our range of Karwa Chauth puja essentials to make the day complete.
