Karwa Chauth 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat and Moonrise Time

Karwa Chauth, also spelt Karva Chauth, falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026. In New Delhi, the puja muhurat runs from 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM, and the moon rises at 8:17 PM, according to Drik Panchang. Moonrise varies by city, from 7:47 PM in Kolkata to 9:00 PM in Mumbai. Check your city's timing before breaking the fast.

When Is Karwa Chauth 2026?

Karwa Chauth this year is on Thursday, 29 October 2026. The vrat falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi, the fourth day of the waning lunar phase.

Families following the Purnimanta calendar identify the month as Kartik, while those following the Amanta calendar identify it as Ashwin. The month name differs, but the festival falls on the same date.

Here are the Karwa Chauth date and time details for New Delhi.

Chaturthi ends at 10:09 PM, after the listed moonrise time. The date and timings can vary by location and calendar convention.

Date check: Some websites list 28 October for Karwa Chauth in North America. Check the calendar applicable to your location rather than relying on an international date listing.

What Is the Karwa Chauth Puja Muhurat in 2026?

The Karwa Chauth puja timing follows the local panchang. In New Delhi, Drik Panchang lists the evening puja muhurat as 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM. Agra has a listed window of 5:37 PM to 6:54 PM, while Kanpur has a window of 5:29 PM to 6:45 PM.

During this period, families perform the puja, worship Chauth Mata and listen to the vrat katha. The moon offering takes place later, after moonrise.

Prepare your puja thali before sunset so everything is ready when the muhurat begins. The Karwa Chauth collection on Cycle.in features traditional thali sets and accessories.

The 11 Pc Red Embroidery Karwa Chauth Thali Set includes a thali, sieve, water pot, diya and other accessories.

What Time Does the Moon Rise on Karwa Chauth 2026?

Moonrise marks the end of the traditional Karwa Chauth fast. The Karwa Chauth moonrise time in New Delhi is listed as 8:17 PM. However, the moon appears at different times across India, making city-specific timings essential.

The following table lists the supplied moonrise and sunrise timings for major Indian cities. All times are in Indian Standard Time (IST) for 29 October 2026.

Karwa Chauth 2026 Moonrise Time by City

Note: Moonrise calculations can differ depending on the source's definition and calculation method. Confirm the timing against a reliable local panchang before publishing or relying on it.

Searches such as Karwa Chand time and Chand Karwa Chauth time generally refer to the same information: the time of moonrise. In the supplied table, moonrise ranges from 7:47 PM in Kolkata to 9:00 PM in Mumbai, a difference of 73 minutes.

A time listed for another city may not apply to your location. If your city is missing, check the location-specific information on Drik Panchang.

How Does the Karwa Chauth Fast Work From Sargi to Moonrise?

Karwa Chauth follows a series of traditional rituals, from the pre-dawn Sargi meal to the evening moon-sighting ceremony.

1. Eat Sargi before sunrise. The mother-in-law traditionally gives this pre-dawn meal. Finish it before the fast begins according to your local sunrise time.

2. Observe the fast. Many women traditionally abstain from food and water until moonrise. Customs vary between families.

3. Prepare the puja thali. Arrange roli, rice, a diya, sweets, water, a sieve and the karwa according to your family's tradition.

4. Perform the evening puja. Worship Chauth Mata, Shiva and Ganesha according to your customary puja vidhi, and listen to the vrat katha.

5. Perform the moon-sighting ritual. Once the moon is visible, look at it through the sieve, offer water from the karwa and follow your family's customary ritual.

6. Break the fast. In a common tradition, the husband offers his wife water and food to mark the end of the fast.

A strict fast without water may not be suitable for everyone. People with health conditions should seek appropriate medical advice before undertaking one.

For more details about the traditional stories and rituals, read our guide to Karwa Chauth stories, Sargi and moon-sighting rituals.

Why Does the Moon Matter on Karwa Chauth?

The moon is central to the traditional Karwa Chauth observance because moon-sighting marks the point at which the fast is broken. After sighting the moon, women offer water, known as arghya, and perform the customary closing rituals.

The word karwa, also called karak in some contexts, refers to the water vessel used in the ritual. The festival is associated with Karak Chaturthi in traditional Hindu religious literature.

Karwa Chauth also coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi, a fasting observance associated with Lord Ganesha. The specific prayers and rituals followed can differ according to regional and family traditions.

Readers who prefer Hindi can also read our karva chauth 2026 mahatva puja muhurat vidhiHindi guide to Karwa Chauth significance and puja vidhi.

What Do You Need for the Karwa Chauth Puja Thali?

Preparing the puja thali in advance helps keep the evening rituals organised. The exact list of items depends on your family's customs.

Check the contents of each product listing before purchasing to confirm that it contains the items you need.