Karwa Chauth 2026 Today: Moonrise Time, Puja Muhurat and Fast Hours

Karwa Chauth is being observed across North India today, Thursday, October 29, 2026. Married women began their day-long fast at sunrise and will break it only after sighting the moon tonight, which is expected to rise over Delhi-NCR at around 8:17 PM, according to Drik Panchang timings.

If you are keeping the vrat or simply planning the evening for someone who is, here is everything you need in one place: the tithi, the puja window, the fasting hours and what to expect when the moon finally shows up.

Karwa Chauth 2026: Date and Tithi

Karwa Chauth falls on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik, as per the Purnimanta calendar followed in most of North India. This year, the Chaturthi tithi began at 1:06 AM on October 29 and will end at 10:09 PM the same night. Since the entire day and the moonrise fall within the tithi, there was no confusion this year about whether to observe the fast on October 28 or 29 in India.

For Indian families living in the United States and Canada, the date works out differently because of the time zone. Many households there observed the fast a day earlier, on Wednesday, October 28.

Key Timings at a Glance

The timings above are for New Delhi. Sunrise, sunset and moonrise shift by several minutes from city to city, so it is a good idea to confirm the exact moonrise for your town in a local panchang before the evening rituals.

When Will the Moon Rise in Your City?

Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad should see the moon at roughly the same time, around 8:17 PM. As a general rule, cities to the east, such as Patna and Kolkata, see the moon earlier, while cities to the west and south, such as Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru, usually have to wait longer, often well past 8:45 PM.

Weather also plays a part. Even after the official moonrise, low cloud, haze or smog near the horizon can delay a clear sighting by several minutes. In Delhi-NCR, where air quality has been worsening in recent days, many families wait for the moon to climb a little higher before it is clearly visible from rooftops and balconies.

How the Day Unfolds

Sargi before sunrise

The day starts before dawn with sargi, a meal traditionally prepared by the mother-in-law. It usually includes fruits, dry fruits, sweets such as pheni or mathri, and sometimes parathas. There is no single fixed time for sargi; it simply has to be finished before sunrise, which is why many women eat it between 4 AM and 5:30 AM.

The nirjala fast

In its strictest form, Karwa Chauth is a nirjala vrat, meaning no food or water from sunrise until the moon is sighted. Many women follow this, while others, particularly those who are pregnant, elderly or unwell, choose a lighter version with water or fruit. Elders in most families encourage women to listen to their bodies rather than push through discomfort.

Evening puja and katha

The evening puja during the muhurat (5:38 PM to 6:56 PM in Delhi) is the heart of the day. Women dressed in bridal or festive clothes, often in red, gather in groups, pass their puja thalis around in a circle and listen to the Karwa Chauth katha, the story of Queen Veeravati. The karwa, a small earthen pot with a spout that gives the festival its name, is filled with water and kept on the thali along with a diya, roli, rice and sweets.

Breaking the fast

Once the moon is up, women look at it through a sieve, offer water (arghya) from the karwa, and then look at their husband's face through the same sieve. The husband then offers the first sip of water and the first bite of food to end the fast.

Why the Festival Still Matters

Karwa Chauth is rooted in prayers for the long life and well-being of a spouse, but over the years it has also become a big social occasion. Markets in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh stay busy for days with shoppers buying bangles, sarees, karwas and puja thalis, and mehendi artists see some of their busiest evenings of the year. Celebrities sharing their mehendi designs and festive looks on social media have only added to the buzz.

It is also no longer seen as a ritual only for women. In many homes, husbands now keep the fast alongside their wives, a change that reflects how families have reinterpreted the tradition for themselves.

A Few Practical Tips for Tonight

• Keep your thali ready before the puja muhurat begins so you are not rushing at the last minute.
• Check the moonrise time for your exact city, not just the Delhi timing.
• If clouds or smog block the view, give it 15 to 20 minutes before deciding what to do; many families follow local custom in such cases.
• After a long fast, break it gently with water and light food before a heavy meal.

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