Karva Chauth 2026: Date, Moonrise Time by City, Puja Vidhi and Sargi
Karva Chauth falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Here are approximate moonrise times for 15 cities, the puja muhurat, a step-by-step puja vidhi and a balanced sargi plan.
Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026 in India, with the moon expected to rise around 8:10-8:20 PM in Delhi and later in most western and southern cities. Below you will find the date, puja muhurat, approximate moonrise times for 15 Indian cities, a simple puja vidhi, sargi ideas, and practical tips for a safe nirjala fast. Timings vary by city and by panchang, so treat every time here as a guide and confirm with your local panchang or family pandit.
Key Takeaways
- Karva Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October in India (Kartik Krishna Chaturthi). In the USA and Canada it falls a day earlier, on Wednesday, 28 October.
- AstroSage lists the New Delhi puja muhurat as roughly 5:39 PM to 6:46 PM; some other panchangs extend it to about 6:56 PM.
- Delhi moonrise is listed at about 8:11 PM by AstroSage and around 8:17 PM by some other calendars. Kolkata and Patna see the moon first; Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru see it last among major cities.
- Sargi should be eaten before sunrise and should focus on slow-release food and fluids, not just sweets.
- Pregnant women, diabetics and anyone on regular medication should consult a doctor before keeping a nirjala fast.
Karva Chauth 2026 date and muhurat at a glance
Karva Chauth is observed on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the Krishna Paksha, the waning half of the moon, in the month of Kartik as counted in the purnimanta calendar followed across North India. In 2026 that day is Thursday, 29 October.
| Detail | Karva Chauth 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date (India) | Thursday, 29 October 2026 |
| Date (USA and Canada) | Wednesday, 28 October 2026 |
| Puja muhurat (New Delhi) | About 5:39 PM to 6:46 PM per AstroSage; some panchangs list about 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM |
| Fast begins | Before sunrise (around 6:30 AM in Delhi) |
| Moonrise (New Delhi) | About 8:11 PM (AstroSage); other calendars list up to about 8:18 PM |
| Fast ends | After sighting the moon and offering arghya |
The date and New Delhi times above are from the AstroSage Karva Chauth page. Different panchangs use slightly different calculation methods and assumptions about the horizon, which is why you will see a gap of a few minutes between sources. That gap is normal and not a mistake by either side.
Moonrise time by city on 29 October 2026
Moonrise depends on latitude and longitude, so it changes from city to city. Cities in the east see the moon earlier; cities in the west and south see it later. The times below are approximate calculations for each city centre from standard astronomical data, and they match the AstroSage New Delhi time closely. Some published panchangs show times about 4-7 minutes later. On the ground, buildings, haze and cloud can delay the first actual sighting by another 10-20 minutes.
| City | Approximate moonrise (IST) |
|---|---|
| Kolkata | 7:43 PM |
| Patna | 7:49 PM |
| Lucknow | 8:03 PM |
| Chandigarh | 8:09 PM |
| New Delhi | 8:13 PM |
| Amritsar | 8:14 PM |
| Jaipur | 8:24 PM |
| Bhopal | 8:27 PM |
| Indore | 8:35 PM |
| Hyderabad | 8:38 PM |
| Chennai | 8:41 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 8:48 PM |
| Bengaluru | 8:52 PM |
| Pune | 8:54 PM |
| Mumbai | 8:57 PM |
Two practical tips. First, the moon on Karva Chauth rises in the east, low on the horizon, so a rooftop or an open terrace facing east gives you the best chance of an early sighting. Second, if you live in a high-rise, the moon may clear the opposite tower only 15-20 minutes after the listed moonrise. Plan your family’s arrival and the thali accordingly rather than stepping out exactly at the printed minute.
For families abroad, remember that the date shifts. In New York, Toronto or Chicago, the vrat is on Wednesday, 28 October, and you should use a local panchang for your city.
The meaning behind the vrat
“Karva” means a small earthen pot and “chauth” means the fourth day (see the Karva Chauth entry on Wikipedia for the history and regional variations). Married women traditionally fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life and wellbeing of their husbands, and many unmarried women keep the fast hoping for a good life partner. The festival is most widely observed in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu, and in North Indian families everywhere. Some scholars link its origins to the wheat-sowing season, when the earthen pots used to store grain were at the centre of prayers for a good harvest.
Today, many couples observe the fast together, and plenty of families adapt the rules for health reasons. There is no single “correct” way; follow your family’s tradition and your own body’s needs.
Sargi: what to eat before sunrise
Sargi is the pre-dawn meal, traditionally prepared or sent by the mother-in-law, and eaten before sunrise. Classic sargi thalis include feniyan (sweet vermicelli), mathri, dry fruits, fruits, coconut and sweets. That is lovely for tradition, but a thali of only sweets will leave you hungry and thirsty by noon. A balanced sargi keeps you steady through a long day.
A balanced sargi plate
- Protein and fat for staying power: a small bowl of dahi or paneer, soaked almonds and walnuts.
- Slow carbohydrates: one or two parathas with little oil, or a bowl of poha or daliya.
- Hydration: coconut water, a glass of milk or lassi, and water in small sips across the meal rather than all at once.
- Fruit: banana, papaya or apple for fibre and potassium.
- Tradition: a small portion of feniyan or mathri.
What to avoid in sargi
- Very salty snacks like namkeen and pickles, which increase thirst.
- Strong tea or coffee in large amounts, which can leave you more dehydrated.
- Deep-fried food eaten in a hurry at 4 AM; it often causes acidity later.
Karva Chauth puja vidhi, step by step
Rituals vary by region and family. This is a simple outline followed in many North Indian homes. If your family has its own sequence, follow that.
Puja samagri checklist
- A karva (earthen or metal pot) with lid, filled with water or grains
- Puja thali with roli, rice (akshat), diya, incense, flowers and sweets
- A chalni (sieve) for viewing the moon
- A glass or lota of water for arghya
- Picture or idol of Goddess Gauri (Parvati), Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya, or a Karva Chauth calendar image
- Baya: a gift of clothes, sweets or dry fruits for the mother-in-law
- Katha book, if you read it at home
The sequence
- Before sunrise: eat sargi, drink water, and take the sankalp (resolve) for the fast.
- Through the day: fast without food and, traditionally, without water. Many women spend the afternoon applying mehendi and getting ready.
- Evening, during the muhurat: dress in festive clothes, often red or bridal wear. Women gather in a circle with their thalis, and the Karva Chauth katha is read, usually the story of Queen Veeravati.
- Feri (passing the thali): women pass their thalis around the circle seven times while singing the traditional song.
- Baya: offer the baya to your mother-in-law or an elder and take her blessings.
- At moonrise: view the moon through the chalni, offer arghya (water) to the moon, then look at your husband through the sieve.
- Breaking the fast: the husband offers the first sip of water and a bite of sweet, and the fast ends.
How to break the fast gently
After 14 hours without water, what you eat first matters. Start with a glass of water or coconut water, sipped slowly. Wait ten minutes, then have something light such as fruit, a small bowl of dal or khichdi, or a roti with sabzi. Save the heavy festive dinner, fried snacks and sweets for later in the evening, or eat them in small portions. A rich meal gulped immediately after a long fast is the most common cause of the headache, bloating and acidity many women report the next morning.
Health tips for a safe nirjala fast
A full day without water is demanding, especially in warmer cities. A few simple habits make a real difference:
- Drink extra water the day before, not just at sargi.
- Stay indoors or in the shade in the afternoon, and avoid heavy housework.
- Keep the evening puja short and seated if you feel dizzy.
- Watch for warning signs: fainting, severe headache, very fast heartbeat, or no urine for many hours. Break the fast and drink fluids if these appear. No tradition asks you to risk your health.
- Consider a modified fast (phalahar or water allowed) if you have health conditions. Many families accept this.
Health note: this is general information, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, have blood pressure or kidney problems, or take regular medicines, consult your doctor before keeping a nirjala fast.
Planning the day: a simple timeline
| Time (Delhi, approximate) | What to do |
|---|---|
| 28 October evening | Apply mehendi, prepare the thali and karva, keep sargi ready |
| About 4:30-6:00 AM, 29 October | Sargi, water, sankalp |
| Morning to afternoon | Rest, light activity, avoid the sun |
| About 4:00-5:30 PM | Get ready, gather with family or neighbours |
| About 5:40-6:45 PM | Puja, katha, feri and baya during the muhurat |
| About 8:10-8:40 PM | Moon sighting (later in western and southern cities), arghya, breaking the fast |
| After 9 PM | Light meal first, festive dinner later |
If you live outside Delhi, shift the moonrise row using the city table above. Puja muhurat timings also move by a few minutes from city to city.
Keeping the fast on a working day
In 2026 Karva Chauth falls on a Thursday, so many women will be fasting through a full office day or running a shop. A little planning helps:
- Ask for a half day or work from home in advance. Many Indian offices in the north are used to the request; ask a week ahead rather than on the day.
- Move demanding tasks to the morning. Energy and concentration usually dip after 2 PM. Keep calls, presentations and site visits for the first half.
- Avoid the commute rush in the evening. If the puja is at 5:40 PM, you need to be home and ready by about 5 PM. Leave early enough to avoid being stuck in traffic without water.
- Keep the air conditioning moderate and stay seated. Standing for long stretches, especially in shops or kitchens, drains you faster.
- Tell a colleague you are fasting. If you feel faint, someone nearby should know why.
Husbands and families can make a big difference here: handle the cooking for the evening, get the thali ready, and pick up the sweets and flowers on the way home. Many couples now keep the fast together, which also takes away the pressure of one person doing all the hard work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the date of Karva Chauth in 2026?
Karva Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October 2026 in India. In the USA and Canada, the observance falls on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 because of the time difference.
What time will the moon rise on Karva Chauth 2026 in Delhi?
AstroSage lists the New Delhi moonrise at about 8:11 PM on 29 October 2026, while some other calendars list about 8:17-8:18 PM. Actual visibility may be later because of buildings, haze or cloud.
Why are moonrise times different on different websites?
Calculations differ slightly in their assumptions, for example the exact city coordinates and how the horizon is treated. Differences of 5-7 minutes are common. Use your local panchang and watch the eastern sky.
Can I drink water during the Karva Chauth fast?
The traditional fast is nirjala, without water. Many women, especially those with health conditions, keep a modified fast with water or fruit. If you have any medical condition, consult your doctor and follow their advice.
What if the moon is not visible because of clouds?
Many families break the fast after the listed moonrise time for their city, facing the direction of the moon. Follow the custom your family or pandit recommends.
Can unmarried women keep the Karva Chauth fast?
Yes. Many unmarried women keep the vrat for a good life partner. Customs for unmarried women differ between families and regions, so follow the tradition you know.
A calm, well-planned Karva Chauth
The best Karva Chauth is one where the thali is ready a day early, the sargi is balanced, and nobody is anxious at 8 PM refreshing a website for the moon. Note your city’s approximate moonrise, confirm with your local panchang, head to an east-facing spot a little before time, and enjoy the evening with family.
