Karwa Chauth 2026: Date, Moonrise Time and Puja Muhurat

Photo: CSG-Info / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October. In New Delhi the moon is expected to rise at 8:17 PM, the puja muhurat runs from 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM, and the fast lasts from 6:31 AM to 8:17 PM, which works out to 13 hours and 46 minutes. Moonrise comes later in the south and west and earlier in the east, so a 9:00 PM moon in Mumbai is normal. Below are timings for 16 cities, a samagri checklist and the health precautions worth knowing.

All the timings here come from Drik Panchang’s Karwa Chauth 2026 page. The city moonrise times also appear in a Hindustan Times guide that cites Drik Panchang.

Karwa Chauth 2026 date and tithi

Karwa Chauth is observed on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the waning fortnight in the month of Kartik, according to the purnimanta calendar used across most of north India. In the amanta calendar followed in Gujarat, Maharashtra and south India, the same day falls in Ashwin. Only the month’s name changes. Everyone observes it on the same day.

This year the day also coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi, the monthly fast for Lord Ganesha. Drik Panchang notes that Karwa Chauth is sometimes called Karak Chaturthi. Karwa (or karak) is the small earthen pot used to offer water to the moon.

Karwa Chauth 2026 moonrise time in your city

The fast ends when the moon becomes visible, so your city’s moonrise time is the one that counts. The times below are Drik Panchang’s estimates for 29 October, in IST. Clouds or tall buildings can delay when you actually see it.

The Chandigarh, Patna, Varanasi, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Indore and Ranchi times come from Hindutone’s city-wise list. The remaining cities are from the Hindustan Times report.

Puja muhurat outside Delhi

The evening puja window also changes from city to city. Hindutone lists the following times for 29 October: Mumbai 6:07 to 7:22 PM, Jaipur 5:46 to 7:03 PM, Bengaluru 5:54 to 7:08 PM, Lucknow 5:26 to 6:43 PM and Kolkata 5:01 to 6:17 PM.

If you live abroad

Because of the time difference, families in the US and Canada keep the fast a day earlier, on Wednesday, 28 October. Hindutone gives a moonrise of 7:36 PM in New York and 7:46 PM in Toronto on 28 October. London’s moonrise is at 6:26 PM and Dubai’s at 8:29 PM, both on 29 October. These are local times.

How the day unfolds

Sargi before sunrise

The day starts with sargi, a pre-dawn meal eaten before sunrise. Because the fast runs nearly 14 hours, it makes sense to pick filling foods over purely sweet ones. Our guide to everyday healthy foods worth keeping in your kitchen has ideas you can adapt.

The evening puja and katha

During the evening muhurat, women worship Lord Shiva and his family, including Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha, and listen to the Karwa Chauth katha. The best-known version tells of Veeravati, whose seven brothers tricked her into breaking her fast early with a false moon.

Breaking the fast at moonrise

Once the moon is up, women offer water (arghya) to it from the karwa, look at the moon through a sieve and then look at their husband. The husband then offers the first sip of water. Astrologer Gurudev Vikrant Jain of IIVS describes the sequence to Hindustan Times like this: “Once the moon is visible, offer water to it, look at it through a sieve, and then look at your partner. The partner then gives you the first sip of water.”

Karwa Chauth puja samagri checklist

Hindustan Times lists these basics for the thali:

• A clay or metal karwa filled with water for the arghya
• A sieve (channi), often decorated
• A diya and a matchbox
• Sweets for the offering
• A puja thali to hold everything

Keep everything ready by the afternoon. Many families also buy jewellery or gifts around this time. If gold is on your list, read our explainer on checking hallmarks and making charges before you buy gold.

Who should be careful with a nirjala fast

Many women observe Karwa Chauth as a nirjala fast, with no food or water until moonrise. The Hindustan Times guide recommends that pregnant women, people with diabetes and anyone on regular medication seek medical advice before fasting. It also warns against stopping or changing prescribed medicine to keep the vrat.

If your health is a concern, talk to your doctor and your family in advance. Our Navratri 2026 fasting guide explains in more detail who should be cautious with long fasts.

When you break the fast, start with water and something light, such as fruit, soup or khichdi, before a heavy festive dinner.

Quick dos and don’ts

• Do finish sargi before sunrise.
• Do prepare the thali, karwa and sieve in advance.
• Do rest through the afternoon.
• Don’t skip prescribed medicines without a doctor’s advice.
• Don’t get into arguments.

What comes next in the festive season

Diwali falls on 8 November this year, and Chhath follows soon after. If your family celebrates both, see our Chhath Puja 2026 dates and arghya timings so you can plan travel and leave ahead of time.

Frequently asked questions

When is Karwa Chauth in 2026?

Karwa Chauth is on Thursday, 29 October 2026, in India. In the US and Canada, families observe it on Wednesday, 28 October.

What is the Karwa Chauth 2026 moonrise time in Delhi?

Drik Panchang puts moonrise in New Delhi at 8:17 PM on 29 October 2026. The fast runs from 6:31 AM to 8:17 PM.

What is the puja muhurat for Karwa Chauth 2026?

In New Delhi, the puja muhurat is 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM. Other cities have slightly different windows, for example 6:07 to 7:22 PM in Mumbai.

Why is the moon seen through a sieve?

Looking at the moon and then at your husband through a sieve is part of the traditional ritual for breaking the fast, after you offer water to the moon from the karwa.

Can pregnant women or diabetics keep the Karwa Chauth fast?

They should seek medical advice first and should not change or skip prescribed medication.

Featured image: CSG-Info / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.