When Is Karwa Chauth 2026? Know the Date, Puja Timings and Rituals
Karwa Chauth is an important Hindu festival observed during the Chaturthi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. On this day, married women traditionally observe a nirjala vrat, a fast without food or water, from sunrise until moonrise, praying for the wellbeing and longevity of their husbands.
In 2026, Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on Thursday, October 29. Devotees observing the fast will follow traditional rituals, perform the evening puja during the auspicious muhurat and break their fast after sighting the Moon.
Karwa Chauth 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat and Moonrise TimeHere are the key timings for Karwa Chauth 2026 as provided in the festival schedule.
Event Date and timing| Karwa Chauth date | Thursday, October 29, 2026 |
| Fasting period | 6:31 AM to 8:17 PM |
| Karwa Chauth puja muhurat | 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM |
| Moonrise in Delhi/NCR | 8:17 PM |
The Moon’s appearance time differs by location, so devotees should check the local moonrise timing before planning the concluding rituals.
Two important parts of Karwa Chauth are Sargi, the pre-dawn meal, and the day-long fast.
Sargi: Traditionally, a mother-in-law prepares Sargi for her daughter-in-law to eat before sunrise. The meal commonly includes fresh fruits, nuts, sweets such as feni and nutritious grains. It is intended to provide energy for the day ahead.
Nirjala Vrat: Women observing the traditional fast abstain from food and water during the day. In the evening, they wait for the Moon to appear. After viewing the Moon and then their spouse, they complete the fast, and water is offered to them.
Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi: Evening RitualsPreparations for Karwa Chauth often include dressing in traditional attire and observing the customary rituals associated with the festival.
Solah Shringar: Women may wear traditional red or orange outfits and adorn themselves with the Solah Shringar, which includes mehndi, bangles, sindoor and a bindi.
Preparing the puja area: During the scheduled puja muhurat, from 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM, devotees clean the worship area and arrange the puja items. An image or calendar depicting Karwa Chauth may be placed on the wall, with an earthen Karwa filled with water or milk positioned below it. Akshat (unbroken rice), kumkum and fresh flowers are offered, and a sacred mauli thread is tied around the Karwa.
Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha: Women gather with family members or friends to listen to or recite the traditional Vrat Katha. During the ritual, earthen pots may be exchanged in a custom known as Karwa Pherna, accompanied by traditional hymns.
Moon sighting and Arghya: After moonrise, women view the Moon through a chhalni (sieve) and then look at their husbands. They offer Arghya, a ritual offering of water to the Moon, before breaking their fast.
Moonrise timings vary across India. The following schedule lists the timings provided for selected cities on October 29, 2026.
City Expected moonrise time| New Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon | 8:17 PM |
| Chandigarh | 8:17 PM |
| Kolkata | 7:42 PM |
| Jaipur | 8:22 PM |
| Bengaluru | 8:44 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 8:45 PM |
| Pune | 8:50 PM |
| Mumbai | 8:52 PM |
Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, October 29, rather than October 28. The listed fasting period is from 6:31 AM to 8:17 PM, while the evening puja muhurat is scheduled for 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM.
Women observing the fast traditionally begin their day with Sargi before sunrise, perform the evening rituals and conclude the fast after sighting the Moon at the appropriate local time. Since moonrise varies by city, checking local timings can help devotees plan their observances.