Karva Chauth 2026: Date, Moonrise Time, Sargi and Puja Vidhi

Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Married women will fast from sunrise to moonrise. They pray for their husband's long life.

If you are wondering "Karva Chauth kab hai," the short answer is 29 October in India. Below, you will find moonrise times by city, sargi timing and the puja vidhi. You will also find the vrat katha and simple fasting rules. Whether this is your first Karva Chauth or your twentieth, this guide keeps everything in one place.

Karva Chauth 2026 Date and Timings at a Glance

Karva Chauth falls on the Chaturthi tithi of Krishna Paksha in Kartik month. This follows the Purnimanta calendar. In 2026, the Chaturthi tithi begins at about 1:06 AM on 29 October. So women across India will keep the fast on Thursday, 29 October.

Panchangs differ by a few minutes on the exact puja muhurat. So confirm the time with your family pandit or a trusted local panchang.

Karva Chauth Ka Chand Kab Nikalega? Moonrise Time by City

Moonrise is the most awaited moment of the day. You break the fast only after you see the moon. The time changes from city to city, sometimes by more than an hour.

Clouds can hide the moon even after it rises. In that case, many families break the fast at the calculated moonrise time. Follow the custom your family prefers.

Living abroad? In the United States, Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Wednesday, 28 October, because of the time difference. Check a panchang set to your own city for exact timings.

What Is Karva Chauth and Why Is It Celebrated?

The name comes from two words. "Karva" means an earthen pot with a spout, and "Chauth" means the fourth day. The karva holds water during the puja and symbolises peace and prosperity.

Married Hindu women in North India keep this fast for their husband's long life. It is most popular in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. People also call the day Karak Chaturthi.

Today, the festival has also become a celebration of togetherness. Many husbands now keep the fast with their wives. Some engaged women observe it too, in hope of a happy married life.

Sargi: The Pre-Dawn Meal

Sargi is a special meal eaten before sunrise. Traditionally, the mother-in-law gives sargi to her daughter-in-law as a blessing.

A typical sargi plate has fruits, dry fruits, mathri and pheniyan. Many women add milk or coconut water. Choose foods that keep you full and hydrated, since the fast is nirjala, without water.

If you live away from your in-laws, your mother or husband can prepare sargi for you. The love behind it matters more than who makes it.

Karva Chauth Puja Vidhi: Step by Step

1. Wake up before sunrise, bathe and eat sargi.
2. Take a sankalp, a silent vow, to keep the fast for your husband's well-being.
3. Spend the day without food or water. Rest when you can.
4. In the evening, dress in bridal or festive clothes. Many women wear red, which stands for good fortune.
5. Set up the puja with a karva of water, a diya, roli, rice and sweets. Place the Karva Chauth image of Gauri Mata in front.
6. Worship Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya.
7. Sit with other women and listen to the vrat katha. Pass the thali in a circle while singing.
8. When the moon rises, look at it through a sieve, then look at your husband.
9. Offer water, or arghya, to the moon from the karva.
10. Your husband gives you the first sip of water and the first bite of food.

Many women also give a "baya" to their mother-in-law. This is a gift of sweets, dry fruits, clothes or money, offered with respect.

Karva Chauth Ki Kahani: The Vrat Katha

The best-known Karva Chauth story is about Queen Veeravati, the only sister of seven loving brothers. She kept her first Karva Chauth fast at her parents' home.

As the evening passed, Veeravati grew weak with hunger and thirst. Her brothers could not bear to see her suffer. So they lit a fire behind a tree and held a sieve before it. Then they told her the moon had risen.

Veeravati broke her fast, believing them. Soon, news came that her husband had fallen gravely ill. Heartbroken, she prayed with complete faith. Goddess Parvati guided her to keep the fast properly the next year. Through her devotion, her husband recovered.

The story reminds women to keep the fast with patience and true faith. Other families tell the story of Karva, a devoted wife who saved her husband from a crocodile. Some also connect the fast to Draupadi from the Mahabharata.

Karva Chauth Rules for a Safe Fast

Eat a filling sargi with fruits and dry fruits. Avoid very salty or fried food in the morning, since it can make you thirsty later.

Avoid heavy household work during the day. Rest, listen to bhajans or spend time with other women from your family.

If you are pregnant, diabetic, or have a health condition, speak to your doctor first. Many families allow a phalahar fast with fruits and water in such cases. Faith never asks you to harm your health.

Happy Karva Chauth Wishes to Share

1. Happy Karva Chauth. May your bond grow stronger with every moonrise.
2. Wishing you a blessed Karva Chauth and a lifetime of togetherness.
3. May the moon bring health, love and happiness to your married life.
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A Festival That Celebrates Commitment

Karva Chauth is more than a ritual. It celebrates a promise two people make to stand by each other. That promise works best when both partners share values. It also needs respect for each other's families.

If you are still searching for that partner, start with someone whose beliefs match yours. On Marriage Jodi, you can filter matches by community, religion, location and family values. Many families also mention traditions they follow, which makes early conversations easier.

You can also check our Hindu marriage dates for 2026 if a wedding is on your family's calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Karva Chauth 2026 kab hai?

Karva Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October 2026 in India. In the United States, it falls on Wednesday, 28 October because of the time difference.

What time will the moon rise on Karva Chauth 2026?

In Delhi, the moon should rise around 8:12 PM on 29 October. Kolkata and Patna will see it earlier, at around 7:42 PM and 7:47 PM. Pune will see it later, at around 8:53 PM.

Can unmarried girls keep the Karva Chauth fast?

Yes, many engaged and unmarried girls keep the fast for a good life partner. Some keep a simpler fast and break it by looking at the stars instead of the moon. Follow your family's tradition.

Can I drink water during the Karva Chauth fast?

The traditional fast is nirjala, which means no water. But pregnant women and those with health conditions should consult a doctor. Many families allow water or fruits in such cases.

Why do women see the moon through a sieve?

The sieve is part of the traditional ritual. Women first look at the moon through it and then at their husband. It symbolises a blessing for his long life.

Thinking about your own future partner? Register free on Marriage Jodi and begin your search.