Karwa Chauth 2026: Date, Moonrise Time, Puja Muhurat & Significance

Karwa Chauth is one of the most significant festivals for married Hindu women, celebrated with immense devotion across North India. Dedicated to Goddess Parvati (Gauri) and the Moon God, it involves a strict Nirjala Vrat (fasting without water) from sunrise to moonrise for the longevity and well-being of the husband.

The festival falls on the fourth day of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Kartik. While it is traditionally a women-led festival, many modern husbands also join in fasting to support their wives, symbolizing love and mutual respect.

Karwa Chauth 2026 Date & Muhurat

In 2026, Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The fast begins with the pre-dawn meal called Sargi and concludes after sighting the moon.

Event	Date & Time (IST)
Karwa Chauth Date	October 28, 2026 (Wednesday)
Puja Muhurat	05:39 PM to 06:56 PM (Duration: 1h 17m)
Moonrise Time	08:14 PM (Approx)
Chaturthi Tithi Begins	01:06 PM on Oct 28, 2026
Chaturthi Tithi Ends	02:44 PM on Oct 29, 2026

*Note: Moonrise timings may vary slightly by city (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc.). Please check your local time.

Significance of Karwa Chauth Vrat

Karwa Chauth holds deep spiritual and emotional significance:

• Marital Bliss: The fast is believed to protect the husband from untimely death and ensure a long, prosperous married life.
• Bonding: It strengthens the bond between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law through the tradition of exchanging Sargi and Baya.
• The Legend of Veervati: The festival is rooted in the story of Queen Veervati, whose devotion forced Lord Yama (God of Death) to restore her husband’s life after she was tricked into breaking her fast early.

Rituals: How to Celebrate at Home?

While customs vary by region (Punjab, Rajasthan, UP), the core rituals remain similar.

1. Sargi (Pre-dawn Meal)

The fast begins before sunrise. Women consume Sargi, a traditional meal gifted by their mother-in-law, consisting of fruits, sweets (pheni), and dry fruits to sustain them through the day.

2. Karwa Chauth Puja & Katha

In the evening, women dress in bridal attire (Solah Shringar) and gather in a circle. They exchange their Karwas (clay pots) seven times while listening to the Vrat Katha. An image of Goddess Gauri (Parvati) is worshipped.

3. Moon Worship (Arghya)

The fast is broken only after the moon rises. Women view the moon through a sieve (Chalni), offer water (Arghya), and then look at their husband’s face. The husband then offers water and sweets to break the wife’s fast.

Regional Celebrations Across India

Punjab	Celebrated with great pomp. Women receive Sargi and gather for community Katha sessions. Songs like “Veero Kudiye Karwada” are sung during the thali exchange.
Rajasthan	Women make Karwas from mud and fill them with wheat and rice. They wear their wedding dress or traditional Chunri.
Uttar Pradesh	Walls are decorated with drawings of Gauri Ma. Women worship earthen figurines of Karwa Mata.

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