The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated every year on the Chaturthi Tithi or Krishna Paksha during Kartik month. Women observe nirjala vrat (waterless fast) from sunrise to moonrise for the wellbeing of their husbands. In 2026, Karwa Chauth falls on 29th October 2026, Thursday. 

Karwa Chauth 2026: Correct Date, Moonrise Time, Puja Muhurat 

Karwa Chauth 2026

Timings 

Karwa Chauth Date 

29th October 2026

Fasting Period

06:31 AM to 08:17 PM

Karwa Chauth Puja Muhurat

05:38 PM to 06:56 PM

Moonrise Timing (Delhi/NCR)      

08:17 PM

Essential Customs And Rituals Of Karwa Chauth 2026

Every year when Karwa Chauth comes, women in India have two things on their minds, first is Sargi and the second is the process of nirjala vrat. Here is a small guide on the customs and rituals of Karwa Chauth.

1. Sargi: Sargi is a pre-dawn meal prepared by the mother-in-law for her daughter-in-law. It traditionally includes  fresh fruits, nuts, sweets (such as feni), and nutritious grains to sustain energy levels throughout the day. 

2. Nirajala Vrat (waterless fast): Karwa Chauth is essentially a waterless fast. In the evening, fasting women look at the moon and then their spouse. With this the fast concludes, and water is offered to the fasting women. 

Puja Muhurat And Puja Vidhi For Karwa Chauth 

  • Solah Shringar & Evening Preparation: Dress in traditional red or orange attire: colors associated with love. Adorn the Solah Shringar, including mehndi (henna), bangles, sindoor, and a bindi.
  • Setting Up the Puja (05:38 PM – 06:56 PM): Clean the puja area and place a Karwa image or calendar on the wall. Set an earthen pot (Karwa) filled with water or milk below. Offer akshat (unbroken rice), kumkum, and fresh flowers, and tie a sacred mauli thread around the neck of the Karwa.
  • Katha Circle & Karwa Pherna: Gather in a circle with family or friends to recite or listen to the Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha. During the recitation, exchange the earthen pots (Karwa Pherna) while singing traditional hymns. 
  • Moon Sighting & Arghya (08:17 PM): Once the Moon rises, view it through a chhalni (sieve), followed by looking at your spouse. Offer Arghya (water offering) to the Moon. 

City-Wise Moon Rising Timings 

The moon's rising timings vary from city to city. Here is a quick look at some cities of the country. 

City 

Moon Rising Timings 

New Delhi / Noida / Gurgaon

08:17 PM

Chandigarh

08:17 PM

Kolkata

07:42 PM

Jaipur

08:22 PM

Bengaluru

08:44 PM

Ahmedabad

08:45 PM

Pune

08:50 PM

Mumbai

08:52 PM

Get Karwa Chauth Ready!

Karwa Chauth 2026 will be observed on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Women observing the fast will partake in essential traditions like Sargi before sunrise, fast throughout the day during the fasting period from 06:31 AM to 08:17 PM, perform the puja during the auspicious muhurat (05:38 PM to 06:56 PM), and break their fast after observing the moon at their respective local moonrise times.

(Image Credits: Instagram)

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