Karwa Chauth 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat, Moonrise Time, Vrat Vidhi and Fasting Rules

Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The festival is observed on Chaturthi Tithi during Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik. According to published Panchang timings, Chaturthi Tithi begins at approximately 1:06 AM on October 29 and ends at approximately 10:09 PM on the same day. The vrat will therefore be observed on October 29.

Event	Date and time
Karwa Chauth	Thursday, October 29, 2026
Chaturthi Tithi begins	October 29, 1:06 AM
Chaturthi Tithi ends	October 29, 10:09 PM
Puja muhurat	Approximately 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM
Expected moonrise in New Delhi	Approximately 8:17 PM

Karwa Chauth 2026 Puja Muhurat

The evening puja is one of the main rituals of Karwa Chauth. For 2026, published Panchang references give an indicative puja window of approximately 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM on October 29.

Devotees use this period to worship Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha, prepare the karwa and listen to the Karwa Chauth vrat katha. Families may follow different regional customs, so the precise ritual sequence can vary.


The puja should be planned according to the muhurat applicable to the devotee's location. The moonrise time is a separate timing and determines when the traditional fast can be completed.

Karwa Chauth 2026 Moonrise Time

The Moon is traditionally worshipped at night on Karwa Chauth. Devotees offer arghya to the Moon and complete the fast after moonrise, following their family's customary rituals.

For New Delhi, published estimates place moonrise at around 8:17 PM on October 29, 2026. The timing may differ in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow and other cities.

Readers should check their local moonrise time rather than rely on a single nationwide timing. Cloud cover may also affect visibility, even when the astronomical moonrise has occurred.

Read Detail: Karwa Chauth 2026 Moonrise Time: When Will the Moon Be Visible in Delhi, Noida, Mumbai and Other Cities?

Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi: How to Perform the Ritual

The following is a general outline of the traditional Karwa Chauth puja. Customs can differ by region and family.

1. Prepare for the vrat: Many women begin the day after having sargi before sunrise. The fast is then observed according to personal, family and religious customs.
2. Arrange the puja samagri: Keep the karwa, water, diya, roli, rice grains, flowers, sweets and other customary offerings ready.
3. Prepare the puja space: Clean the area and arrange the images or idols of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha according to family tradition.
4. Perform the evening puja: Worship the deities, offer prayers and listen to or recite the Karwa Chauth vrat katha.
5. Complete the moon ritual: After the Moon becomes visible, offer arghya and perform the customary prayers.
6. Break the fast: Complete the vrat according to the family's tradition, generally after the Moon has been worshipped.

Karwa Chauth Puja Samagri List

Prepare the following items in advance, adjusting the list to local customs:

• Karwa or earthen pot filled with water
• Puja thali
• Diya and cotton wicks
• Roli or kumkum and akshat
• Flowers and a small quantity of rice
• Incense sticks, if used
• Sweets, fruits and other customary offerings
• Images or idols of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha
• A sieve for the traditional moon-viewing ritual
• A glass of water for completing the fast

Some families also use a decorated thali, a red cloth, a kalash or additional items specified by their household tradition.

What Is Sargi in Karwa Chauth?

Sargi is a pre-dawn meal traditionally prepared by a mother-in-law for her daughter-in-law in many families. It is eaten before sunrise, before the day's fast begins.

The meal may include fruits, dry fruits, sweets, nuts and other foods chosen by the family. The exact items and customs vary.

Women who observe the fast may prepare their sargi the previous evening so they can eat before the locally observed fasting cutoff. Anyone who needs to modify fasting practices for health reasons should prioritise medical advice over customary restrictions.

Read More: Karwa Chauth Sargi Thali 2026: What to Include, Ideas & What Mothers-in-Law Traditionally Give Their Daughters-in-Law

Karwa Chauth Vrat Rules

Karwa Chauth fasting practices vary across households and communities. The following points explain common traditions without treating every custom as compulsory for everyone.

• Fasting duration: The traditional fast generally begins before or around sunrise, following the customary pre-dawn meal, and continues until the Moon is worshipped at night.
• Nirjala vrat: Many devotees observe a fast without food or water. Others follow modified practices according to their circumstances and family traditions.
• Sargi: In families that follow the tradition, sargi is eaten before sunrise.
• Evening puja: Devotees worship the deities and listen to the vrat katha before the Moon ritual.
• Moon worship: Arghya is offered to the Moon, after which the fast is traditionally completed.
• Household customs: Rules concerning clothing, food preparation, household activities and puja materials may differ by region.

Fasting is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with diabetes or other medical conditions, and anyone taking medication that requires food or water should consult a healthcare professional before attempting a prolonged or waterless fast.

Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha and Significance

Karwa Chauth is associated with prayers for the well-being, longevity and happiness of married couples. The vrat katha is an important part of the observance and is traditionally heard or recited during the evening puja.

One widely known story is that of Veeravati, whose fast is disrupted by a deception involving the Moon. The narrative emphasises the significance of devotion and completing the vrat according to tradition. Other regional stories and retellings are also followed.

The karwa, traditionally a small pot used in the rituals, is associated with the offerings made during the observance. The Moon's appearance marks the final stage of the traditional fast and is central to the evening ritual.

How Is Karwa Chauth Celebrated?

Preparations often begin days in advance, with families purchasing puja items, choosing festive clothing, arranging sargi and decorating their puja thalis. Some communities also organise group pujas in which women gather to hear the vrat katha and perform rituals together.

In many households, the evening includes dressing up, applying mehndi, preparing the puja arrangements and waiting for the Moon. The fast is completed through the customary moon-worship ritual, followed by a meal.

Practices vary across regions and families. Karwa Chauth is traditionally observed by married women, while some couples choose to fast together as a personal expression of mutual care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Karwa Chauth in 2026?
   Karwa Chauth will be observed on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
2. What time will the Moon rise on Karwa Chauth 2026?
   Moonrise in New Delhi is expected at around 8:17 PM on October 29. The time varies by location.
3. What is eaten during sargi?
   Sargi commonly includes fruits, dry fruits, nuts, sweets and other foods prepared before sunrise. The menu depends on family tradition.
4. What items are needed for Karwa Chauth puja?
   Common items include a karwa, puja thali, diya, roli, rice, flowers, sweets, water and a sieve. Additional items may be used according to regional customs.
5. Can unmarried women observe Karwa Chauth?
   Some unmarried women observe Karwa Chauth according to family or community traditions, including prayers for a desired partner. Practices and beliefs vary, and it is not a universal requirement.