Karwa Chauth 2026: Is It on 28 or 29 October? Date, Chaturthi Timing and City-wise Moonrise Time, Explained
Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October in India, because Chaturthi tithi prevails at moonrise that evening. Moonrise in Delhi is expected around 8:12 PM. Here is why some sites show 28 October, the tithi timings, moonrise for 15 cities, and the fasting timeline.
Karwa Chauth, the day-long fast married women keep for their husbands' long life, is one of the most searched festivals every year. In 2026 some websites show 28 October and others 29 October. Here is the correct date for India, the reason for the confusion, and moonrise times for major cities.
The 60-second version
- Date in India: Thursday, 29 October 2026
- Chaturthi tithi: about 1:07 AM to 10:11 PM IST on 29 October
- Moonrise in Delhi: about 8:12 PM
- Fast: sunrise (about 6:30 AM in Delhi) to moonrise
- Sargi: eaten before sunrise on 29 October
28 or 29 October? The answer
Karwa Chauth is kept on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi, and the deciding rule is that Chaturthi must prevail at moonrise, because the fast ends with arghya to the moon.
| Evening | Tithi at moonrise (India) | Karwa Chauth? |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 28 October | Tritiya (Chaturthi begins only after 1:07 AM on 29 October) | No |
| Thursday, 29 October | Chaturthi (ends about 10:11 PM) | Yes |
Indian panchangs including Shubh Panchang and PanchangBodh list 29 October 2026. Some websites show 28 October because they use a location outside India: Drik Panchang's page for a US city gives Wednesday, 28 October, since in American time zones the Chaturthi tithi starts on the 28th. If you live in India, keep the fast on Thursday, 29 October.
Karwa Chauth 2026 moonrise time, city-wise
Moonrise times below are for 29 October 2026 (IST), calculated for each city centre. The moon becomes visible a few minutes after astronomical moonrise once it clears buildings and haze, so allow 5 to 15 minutes.
| City | Moonrise (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Delhi / NCR | 8:12 PM |
| Chandigarh | 8:07 PM |
| Amritsar | 8:12 PM |
| Dehradun | 8:03 PM |
| Jaipur | 8:23 PM |
| Lucknow | 8:01 PM |
| Varanasi | 7:57 PM |
| Patna | 7:47 PM |
| Ranchi | 7:53 PM |
| Kolkata | 7:42 PM |
| Indore | 8:34 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 8:47 PM |
| Mumbai | 8:56 PM |
| Bengaluru | 8:51 PM |
The Karwa Chauth timeline
| Time (Delhi) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Before about 6:30 AM | Sargi: the pre-dawn meal, traditionally given by the mother-in-law |
| About 6:30 AM | Sunrise: the nirjala fast (no food or water) begins |
| Evening, after sunset (about 5:38 PM) | Karwa puja and the vrat katha, often in a group |
| About 8:12 PM | Moonrise: arghya to the moon through a sieve (channi), then the husband offers water and the first bite to end the fast |
Exact puja muhurat times vary between panchangs and cities, so follow your family priest or local panchang for the evening puja window.
What you need for the puja
- Karwa (an earthen or metal pot with a spout) filled with water
- Thali with diya, roli, rice, sindoor, sweets and fruit
- Channi (sieve) to view the moon and then the husband's face
- Sargi items: dry fruits, sweets, fruit, mathri or pheni, as per family custom
- Bangles, mehendi and the bridal or festive outfit many women wear
Tips for a safe fast
- Eat a balanced sargi with protein and fibre (dry fruits, paneer, fruit) rather than only sweets, and drink plenty of water before sunrise.
- Avoid heavy exertion and long exposure to the sun during the day.
- Health first: pregnant women, diabetics and anyone on regular medication should speak to a doctor before keeping a nirjala fast; many families allow a phalahari (fruit) fast instead.
- Break the fast gently with water and light food before a full meal.
The bottom line
In India, Karwa Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October. The fast runs from sunrise to moonrise, which is about 8:12 PM in Delhi, earlier in the east and later in the west. If a website shows 28 October, check whether it is set to a city outside India.
Tithi timings are based on Shubh Panchang and PanchangBodh and cross-checked with BharatBeat's own astronomical calculation. Moonrise, sunrise and sunset times were calculated for each city centre and may differ by a few minutes locally. Information as of 18 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
›When is Karwa Chauth in 2026?
Karwa Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October in India. Kartik Krishna Chaturthi runs from about 1:07 AM to about 10:11 PM IST on 29 October, so it prevails at moonrise that evening, which is the rule for Karwa Chauth.
›Why do some websites say 28 October 2026?
Some pages are set to a location outside India. For example, Drik Panchang's page for a US city shows Wednesday, 28 October, because in American time zones the Chaturthi tithi begins on 28 October. In India, moonrise on 28 October falls during Tritiya, so the fast is kept on 29 October.
›What is the moonrise time on Karwa Chauth 2026 in Delhi?
Moonrise in New Delhi on 29 October 2026 is expected at about 8:12 PM IST. Moonrise is a little earlier in eastern cities such as Kolkata (about 7:42 PM) and later in western cities such as Mumbai (about 8:56 PM).
›What time does the Karwa Chauth fast start and end in 2026?
The nirjala fast starts at sunrise, about 6:30 AM in Delhi on 29 October, after the pre-dawn sargi meal. It ends after the moon is sighted and arghya is offered, about 8:12 PM in Delhi.
›What if the moon is hidden by clouds?
Families usually follow their own tradition. Many break the fast at the calculated moonrise time for their city, or after seeing the moon on a live stream or video call from another city. The weather in late October is normally clear in most of north India.