Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026. It is observed on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi, the fourth day after Purnima in the Hindu month of Kartik, a few days before Dhanteras and Diwali.

Here are the key timings for New Delhi, based on Drik Panchang:

Note: Karwa Chauth Muhurat, Sunrise & Moonrise timings vary from one city to another. The above timings are for New Delhi. If you live in other places, please refer to your local Panchang or moonrise timings before ending your fast.

Due to the time difference, Karwa Chauth 2026 is celebrated one day before in North America, that is on Wednesday, 28th October. Karwa Chauth 2026 in the UK is on Thursday, 29th October, which is the same date as India. While some sites show 28th October as the Karwa Chauth date in India too (Drik Panchang tithi timings say it is on 29th October).

Karva Chauth is a one-day fast primarily kept by married women of North India, consisting of the regions of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. It is a fast for the longevity, health and wealth of their husbands and the wish for an eternal bond.

The very name of the festival itself describes the essence of Karva Chauth. The meaning of 'Karva' is 'small clay pot', while the term 'Chauth' refers to the fourth day of the lunar fortnight. The clay pot is filled with water and used for puja in the evening and also is exchanged as a blessing.

The fast has always been kept as Nirjala which means without food and water till sighting of the moon. Many women keep a lighter form due to health reasons which is completely okay because the essence of the vrat lies in dedication rather than hardships.

• Rise early before the sun and take bath along with the intake of the sargi.

• Begin fasting from sunrise onwards until sunset (if not due to health).

• Wear your best clothes which are generally in red, maroon or other lucky colors, and put on solah shringar.

• Conduct the evening prayer in the auspicious muhurat time and listen to the vrat katha.

• Arghya should be offered to the moon and observe the moon through a sieve (chalni) followed by the observation of your husband.

• Break the fast with the intake of water and sweets from your husband’s hand.

Sargi is the blessed food that a mother-in-law gives her daughter-in-law before the beginning of the fast. This food is eaten before the rising of the sun, preferably during the Brahma Muhurta. Sargi is intended to make you strong through the day ahead.

Sargi is not only the food, but it is also an expression of love and welcoming in the family.

What to Eat in Sargi

The best sargi is that which is lightweight, nutritious, and hydrating. Some of the foods that are included are as follows:

• Phienia or sweet vermicelli (seviyan) - this is a typical food that is usually eaten during Karwa Chauth

• Fresh Fruits such as banana, apple, papaya, and pomegranate

• Dry fruits like almond, cashew, date, and raisin

• Coconut water or plain water but in sufficient amounts

• Mathri, paratha or any kind of homemade food along with a sweet dish

• Milk, lassi, or curd

• Sweets and mithai as blessings

Sargi Tips for an Easier Fast

• Have meals before sunrise (6:31 AM in New Delhi).

• Make sure to drink lots of water as well as coconut water.

• Eat slowly digesting food such as fruits, dry fruits, and grains.

• Do not eat too much salt or spice as this makes one thirstier.

• Reduce the consumption of coffee and tea because of their diuretic effect.

Everything should be arranged a day ahead so that the evening can be spent happily and peacefully. Puja thali for a Karwa Chauth puja comprises:

• Karwa (earthen pot) with a lid and another earthen pot for exchanging

• Chalni (sieve) and a lit diya (oil lamp)

• Picture or idol of Shiv-Parvati, Ganesh ji and Kartikeya, or Karwa Chauth calendar

• Roli, kumkum, akshat (unbroken rice), and turmeric 

• Fresh flowers, agarbattis and camphor light

• Sindoor, bangles, bindi, mehndi and other items of solah shringar

• Prasad comprising sweets, fruits, and few dry fruits

• Arghya comprising water in a lota or small pot

• Ingredients of wheat, ghee and a cloth

A new outfit in red or maroon color along with bangles and mehendi on the hands is the sign of celebrations. Many women get mehndi done a day ahead because it is dark and rich in color by the evening of the vrat.

Below is an easy-to-follow karva chauth vidhi that you could perform at home. The local family rituals may vary slightly so you need to stick to your family's ritual in case of any difference.

Step 1: Rise Early and Take the Sargi 

Rise early in the morning, have a bath, eat sargi, and make your sankalp in a peaceful state of mind and intentions for the well being of your husband and prosperity of your family.

Step 2: Fasting for the Whole Day

Keep fast throughout the day without taking any food or water till sunrise. Spend the entire day in prayers and meditation, and involve in some light household activities. Recite ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ or bhajans in order to relax your mind.

Step 3: Prepare Yourself in the Afternoon

Prepare yourself in the afternoon, put on your solah shringar and prepare the thali for puja. The evening katha conducted by a number of ladies together enhances the festive mood of the celebration.

Step 4: Decorate the Puja Place

Clean the place, install the pictures of Shiv-Parvati, Ganesh Ji and Kartikeya (Karwa Chauth poster) and put the karwa with water in front of them.

Step 5: Do the Puja During Muhurat

The puja should be done from 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM (New Delhi). Offering of roli, akshat, flowers and sweets is to be done. Chant "Om Namah Shivaya", "Om Ganeshaya Namah" and "Om Somaya Namah".

Step 6: Listen to the Vrat Katha

Listening to the story related to Karwa Chauth (see below) is the spiritual part of the night.

Step 7: Exchange the Karwa

Traditionally, women form a circle and exchange their thalis seven times during the song on Karwa Chauth. Then there comes the exchanging of karwa as a symbol of blessings. In cases where this ritual is not practiced, the thali is only rotated before the deity.

Step 8: Wait for the Moonrise

The thali has to be kept ready and wait for the rising of the moon. The moon rises in New Delhi at 8:17 PM. Find out your time for your location.

Step 9: Offering Arghya to Moon and Seeing Moon and Your Husband Through Sieve

As soon as the moon becomes visible, offer arghya to it. Look at the moon through the chalni while holding the lit diya in your hands, and then look at your husband using the same sieve.

Step 10: Breaking of Fasting

Your husband gives you the first drop of water and the sweet that he is holding in his hands. Pray by touching the feet of the elders and have a satvik lunch with your family members.

A number of wonderful stories can be associated with Karwa Chauth. The most popular story is about Queen Veervati.

Veervati was the only sister among her seven brothers. After her marriage, she visited her parents' place during her first Karwa Chauth and observed the fast with utmost devotion. When the evening came, she was very hungry and thirsty, but was still eagerly awaiting the appearance of the moon.

Unable to see her suffering, her brothers devised an ingenious plan where they placed a mirror and light behind a tree so that there appeared to be a reflection of the moon. Seeing this moon, she assumed it to have come out, broke her fast and ate.

Immediately after eating, she came to know that her husband, the king, had become severely sick. Heartbroken and worried, she reached the palace and started praying. On her way, she encountered a goddess, who informed her that she had broken her fast without the moon rising.

The next year, Veervati observed the Karwa Chauth fast once again with utmost devotion. Satisfied by her sincere efforts, the goddess blessed her and gave her back the life of her husband.

The fasting period ends only on the day of chandra darshan, and hence the timing of moonrise becomes the most important information of the day.

Moonrise in New Delhi on 29 October 2026: 8:17 PM

The timings of the moonrise change according to the location, as different cities in the country see the moon rise at different times. As a general practice, the cities located in the eastern part of India will see the moon earlier than the cities located in the western parts of India.

Tips to Note Moonrise

• Look up an authentic Panchang like Drik Panchang for your particular city.

• Keep some buffer time of 15 to 30 minutes as the moon might be hidden behind buildings or clouds.

• Go up to the roof of your house for better visibility of the moon.

• In case the sky is covered by clouds, many people pray to the moon in the direction of the moon rise as advised in the family.

Solah Shringar

The married women dress themselves up like brides by wearing sindoor, bindi, bangles, mehndi, accessories, and even the dress should be of red color or festive attire. The Solah Shringar is considered as an indicator of auspiciousness and happiness.

Baya

The baya is a combination of sweets, clothes, fruits and dried fruits which are offered by a daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law. It not only helps to improve the bonding within the family but also adds charm in receiving blessings.

Chalni

The sieve is used as an indicator of seeing the moon and your husband with clear and loving eyes. This is also a very charming way of combining devotion and romance together.

Gifts and Surprises

There are various gifts and surprises which can be gifted by husbands to their wives as a token of affection. It is the day of showing your gratitude.

Husband Can Fast Too

Today, husbands also keep the fast with their wives for the sake of equality and love. The festival has evolved into a festival of mutual caring and it looks wonderful.

Dos

• Perform sargi before dawn and ensure that you drink lots of water.

• Wear new and clean clothes and abide by the customs of your family.

• Do the puja in the muhurat.

• Give arghya only after the moon appears.

• Pay heed to the vrat katha.

Don’ts

• Do not indulge in the breaking of the fast before the moon rises.

• Be calm and do not indulge in any kind of fight or argument.

• Stay away from anything sharp and do not engage yourself in stitching.

• Do not dress in dark colors.

• Do not force yourself if you are not feeling well.

There are some considerations to remember in mind while going through a fast.

• Have a healthy sargi which includes fruits, proteins and complex carbs.

• Sit in shade and get adequate rest and avoid any strenuous activity.

• When you end your fast, start with water and sweets followed by light food.

• In case you are pregnant, diabetic, senior citizen or taking any medicines, it is advisable to consult your doctor prior to observing the fast. You can go for phalahari fast which is equally effective.

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