Karwa Chauth 2026 date: Is the festival on October 28 or 29? Check India and abroad timings

Karwa Chauth 2026 has sparked confusion over whether the festival will be observed on Wednesday, October 28, or Thursday, October 29. The difference comes down to location and the way Hindu lunar dates are calculated. For people observing the festival in India, Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29, 2026. In the United States and Canada, many calendars list the observance for Wednesday, October 28.

The festival is observed on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi, the fourth day of the waning lunar phase. Since the Hindu calendar follows lunar timings rather than fixed Gregorian dates, the same lunar observance can fall on different civil dates in different time zones. The date and puja timings should therefore be checked against the local panchang rather than relying on a calendar prepared for another country.

Karwa Chauth 2026 date in India

In India, Karwa Chauth will be observed on Thursday, October 29. The Chaturthi tithi begins at approximately 1:06 am on October 29 and ends at around 10:09 pm that night, according to the panchang timings provided for the observance. The fast is traditionally kept from sunrise until the Moon is sighted in the evening.


For New Delhi, the key timings are:

• Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
• Fast begins: Around 6:30 am, at sunrise
• Puja muhurat: 5:38 pm to 6:56 pm
• Expected moonrise: Around 8:17 pm

Moonrise differs from city to city, so those observing the fast should confirm the timings for their location.

City-wise moonrise timings in India

• New Delhi: Around 8:17 pm
• Lucknow: Around 8:06 pm
• Kolkata: Around 7:47 pm
• Mumbai: Around 9:00 pm
• Bengaluru: Around 8:55 pm

These are indicative timings. Local panchang calculations and actual visibility may vary, so it is advisable to check the latest city-specific timings before planning the evening rituals.

Karwa Chauth 2026 date in the US, Canada and other countries

For people observing Karwa Chauth in the United States and Canada, the festival is commonly listed for Wednesday, October 28, 2026. This is why some online calendars show October 28 instead of October 29.

The local date depends on how the lunar tithi aligns with the local calendar and the traditional observance rules. It is not simply a case of converting Indian Standard Time into another time zone. People living abroad should follow a panchang calculated for their own city, particularly when deciding when to begin the fast, perform the puja and break the fast after moonrise.

In the United Kingdom and Australia, many calendars list Karwa Chauth for Thursday, October 29, 2026. However, local timings can differ considerably, especially for moonrise. Those celebrating abroad should confirm the date and puja muhurat with a trusted local panchang or temple.

What is the significance of Karwa Chauth?

Karwa Chauth is traditionally observed by married Hindu women who pray for their husbands' long life, well-being and prosperity. The day is marked by a fast, evening prayers, the recitation of the vrat katha and worship of the Moon.

Many women observe a nirjala vrat, abstaining from both food and water from sunrise until moonrise. The day usually begins with sargi, a pre-dawn meal traditionally prepared or given by the mother-in-law. It may include water, dry fruits and other foods eaten before the fast begins.

During the evening puja, women dress in festive attire, gather with family or other devotees, and listen to the Karwa Chauth vrat katha. The rituals and customs can vary between families and regions.

How is the Karwa Chauth fast broken?

The fast is traditionally broken after the Moon rises and is sighted. Women offer arghya, a ritual water offering to the Moon, and may look at the Moon and then their husbands through a sieve before completing the observance.

The official moonrise time is a useful guide, but buildings, clouds and other local conditions can affect when the Moon becomes visible. Those observing the fast should check the local moonrise time and follow their family's customary rituals.

In short: Karwa Chauth falls on October 29, 2026, in India. October 28 is the commonly listed observance date in the United States and Canada, while the UK and Australia generally observe it on October 29. The safest way to avoid confusion is to check a reliable, location-specific panchang for the date and timings.