Karwa Chauth 2026: Date, Moonrise Time, Puja Muhurat and Significance
Karwa Chauth is one of the most widely observed fasts in North India. On this day, married women keep a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise and pray for the long life, health, and prosperity of their husbands. In 2026, Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, 29 October, and the fast ends only after the moon is sighted in the evening.
When Is Karwa Chauth in 2026?
Karwa Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October 2026. It is observed on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) in the month of Kartik, which is why it is also called Karaka Chaturthi. Because the date follows the lunar cycle, it shifts every year, usually landing in October or November.
The fast is a nirjala fast, which means no food and no water from sunrise until moonrise. In Delhi, that means a fast of about 13 hours 46 minutes, from sunrise at 6:31 AM to moonrise at 8:17 PM.
Karwa Chauth 2026 Timings (Delhi)
The timings below are for New Delhi, calculated per Drik Panchang. Moonrise and sunrise times vary by city, so check your local time before the day.
| Event | Time (Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Chaturthi tithi begins | 1:06 AM, Thursday, 29 October |
| Chaturthi tithi ends | 10:09 PM, Thursday, 29 October |
| Fast begins (sunrise) | 6:31 AM |
| Puja muhurat | 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM |
| Moonrise | 8:17 PM |
| Fast duration | About 13 hours 46 minutes |
Moonrise Time in Your City
The fast breaks only when the moon is seen, and moonrise time changes from city to city. Here are the moonrise times for major North Indian cities on 29 October 2026, per Drik Panchang:
| City | Moonrise (29 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Kolkata | 7:47 PM |
| Lucknow | 8:06 PM |
| Chandigarh | 8:12 PM |
| New Delhi | 8:17 PM |
| Jaipur | 8:28 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 8:52 PM |
| Mumbai | 9:00 PM |
Karwa Chauth and the Desi Calendar
Karwa Chauth falls in the desi month of Katak (Kartik), the autumn month that begins with Katak Sangrand on 17 October 2026. Katak is the season when the harvest is gathered across Punjab and the evenings turn cool, and the Kartik full moon season brings a run of festivals, including Karwa Chauth, Diwali, and Gurpurab. See our Katak month page for the month’s dates and traditions, and our Diwali 2026 and Gurpurab 2026 guides for the festivals that follow.
How Karwa Chauth Is Observed
The day follows a familiar rhythm across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh:
Sargi: Before sunrise, the mother-in-law sends sargi, a pre-dawn meal of sweets, fruits, and dry fruits, which the fasting woman eats before the fast begins.
Mehndi and shringar: Women apply henna (mehndi) a day before and dress in bridal colours, often red, with the solah shringar (sixteen traditional adornments).
Evening puja: In the evening, women gather for the puja, placing the decorated karwa (earthen pot) on the altar, worshipping Goddess Parvati, and listening to the Karwa Chauth katha, including the legend of Queen Veervati, whose devotion restored her husband’s life.
Moon sighting: After moonrise, women look at the moon and then at their husband’s face through a sieve, offer arghya (water offering) to the moon, and break the fast by drinking water offered by their husband, followed by a meal.
In recent years, many husbands have also started fasting alongside their wives, and unmarried girls sometimes keep the fast in hope of a good life partner.
Karwa Chauth Dates in Coming Years
Planning ahead? Here are the Karwa Chauth dates for the next few years:
| Year | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday | 29 October 2026 |
| 2027 | Monday | 18 October 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday | 7 October 2028 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Karwa Chauth in 2026?
Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026. It is observed on the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik.
What is the moonrise time on Karwa Chauth 2026?
In New Delhi, the moon rises at 8:17 PM on 29 October 2026. Moonrise varies by city: Kolkata 7:47 PM, Lucknow 8:06 PM, Chandigarh 8:12 PM, Jaipur 8:28 PM, Ahmedabad 8:52 PM, and Mumbai 9:00 PM.
What is the puja muhurat for Karwa Chauth 2026?
In Delhi, the Karwa Chauth puja muhurat is 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM on 29 October 2026, a window of about 1 hour 18 minutes. Timings shift slightly by city.
Why do some calendars show Karwa Chauth on 28 October 2026?
The Chaturthi tithi begins at 1:06 AM on 29 October and runs to 10:09 PM that evening. The fast is kept on the day the tithi is present at moonrise, which is Thursday, 29 October, so 28 October is not correct for India.
Which desi month does Karwa Chauth fall in?
Karwa Chauth falls in the desi month of Katak (Kartik), the autumn month that begins with Katak Sangrand on 17 October 2026.
Can unmarried girls keep the Karwa Chauth fast?
Yes. Although Karwa Chauth is traditionally kept by married women for their husband’s long life, many unmarried girls also keep the fast in hope of a good life partner, and many husbands now fast alongside their wives.
