Karwa Chauth 2026: Know Date, Moonrise Time, Puja Vidhi & Vrat Katha

Karwa Chauth 2026 (Karaka Chaturthi) will be celebrated on Thursday, 29 October, when married women fast from sunrise until they see the moon, praying for their husbands' long life and well-being. In Delhi, the moon is expected to rise at about 8:17 PM, and the puja muhurat is 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM. This guide covers moonrise times in major cities, sargi, puja vidhi, the katha, the astrological importance of this year's Karwa Chauth and a special puja you can join from home.

Karwa Chauth 2026 Date and Puja Muhurat

Because the Chaturthi tithi lasts almost the whole day, the fast, the puja and the moon sighting all fall on 29 October.

Karwa Chauth 2026 Moonrise Time in Major Cities

Break your fast only after you see the moon in your own city, and check your local panchang for the exact time.

Karwa Chauth Sargi: Time, Food and Importance

Sargi is the meal eaten before sunrise to begin the fast. Traditionally, a mother-in-law prepares it for her daughter-in-law. After sargi, no food or water is taken until the moon is worshipped.

What is in a Karwa Chauth sargi?

A traditional sargi thali usually has:

• Pheni or sevai (sweet vermicelli)

• Fresh fruits and coconut

• Dry fruits and nuts

• Mathri and sweets

• A light paratha

Many mothers-in-law also add a small gift, such as bangles or other shringar items.

What time is sargi eaten?

Sargi is generally eaten before sunrise. Many families eat between 4:00 AM and 5:30 AM, so they finish before sunrise. Sunrise differs by city, so plan accordingly.

What can you eat in sargi?

Choose foods that will keep you hydrated and energetic throughout the day:

• Fruits, coconut water, milk, dates and soaked almonds

• Sevai, paratha and mathri

• Plenty of water

Avoid very salty, oily or spicy food, as it makes you thirsty. Limit tea and coffee, which can dehydrate you.

Why is sargi important?

Sargi gives you energy for a long day. It also carries a mother-in-law's love and blessings, and it marks the start of the fast. For those who live far away from their family, either your in-laws can send you sargi or you can prepare it by yourself. 

Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi

Puja samagri: a karwa (pot with a lid), a chhalni (sieve), a diya, roli, kumkum, akshat (rice), flowers, incense, sweets, fruits, water and shringar items.

1. Eat sargi before sunrise and take a sankalp (a quiet resolve) to keep the fast.

2. Keep the nirjala vrat through the day, without food or water, and rest where you can.

3. Get ready in the evening. Bathe and dress in festive clothes, many wear red, and do your shringar.

4. Set up the thali with the karwa filled with water and rice, a diya and sweets.

5. Worship Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikeya and Karva Mata during the muhurat.

6. Read or listen to the katha. Women often sit in a circle and pass their thalis.

7. When the moon rises, light a ghee diya and place it on the sieve. Look at the moon through the sieve, then look at your husband.

8. Offer arghya (water) to the moon from the karwa.

9. Break the fast. Your husband gives you the first sip of water and a sweet. Then enjoy a full meal.

Karwa Chauth Vrat Katha

According to the traditional story, there was a lady named Veervati. She was the only sister of seven brothers who loved her dearly. After her marriage, she kept her first Karwa Chauth fast at her parents' home. By evening, because of hunger, she felt weak. Her brothers could not bear to see her suffer, so they created a false moon and told her it had risen. Veervati broke her fast, and soon after, she heard that her husband had died.

Depressed & Heartbroken, Veervati rushed to him. On the way, she met Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who told her to keep the fast again with full devotion. She did exactly that, and her husband was brought back to life. Since then, women observe this fast, believing that Goddess Parvati blesses their marriage. The story reminds us to keep the vrat with sincerity.

Astrological Importance of Karwa Chauth 2026

Karwa Chauth falls on the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik, and the moon is worshipped with sixteen-fold worship (shodashopachar). In Vedic tradition, the Moon (Chandra) is linked with the mind, emotions and a calm home life. The fast is traditionally believed to strengthen the Moon in one's birth chart and support marital harmony.

This year, a thursday Karwa Chauth is making it even more special. Thursday is Jupiter's day. As per Vedic astrology, Jupiter is considered as the primary significator of husband, marriage and marital bliss in a woman's chart. This added layer of divine alignment makes a Thursday Karwa Chauth 2026, more special.

Karwa Chauth Do's and Don'ts

Do's

• Eat a good sargi and drink enough water before sunrise.

• Rest during the day and avoid heavy work.

• Break the fast slowly, with water and light food first.

Don'ts

• Avoid breaking fast before you see the moon in your city.

• Don't force yourself or others to fast. Do only if your health allows. 

• Pregnant women and people with diabetes, low blood pressure or other conditions should consult their doctor first, before deciding to keep a fast.

Karwa Chauth 2026 Special Puja: Astro Arun Pandit

If you cannot visit a temple this Karwa Chauth, you can join the Shiv-Gauri Puja (Karwa Chauth Special) on Thursday, 29 October 2026 at the Pardeshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

Verified pandits perform the puja with your name and gotra in the sankalp. It includes Ganesh puja, Shiva-Gauri worship, shringar, mantra chanting and aarti, and it is offered to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri for love, harmony and family well-being. You can choose a single, couple or family package, as a dedicated or group puja, and receive updates, photos and videos on WhatsApp.

Conclusion

On 29 October 2026, Karwa Chauth, the festival of love, patience and togetherness, will be celebrated. Have sargi before sunrise, keep your puja simple and check your city's moonrise time.

All the best for your Karwa Chauth; may Goddess Parvati bless you with pure love, and healthy life.

For personal guidance, you can talk to an astrologer.