Karwa Chauth 2026 Date and Significance
When can you end your Karwa Chauth fast? For devotees in New Delhi, the key time to watch is 8:17 PM IST on Thursday, October 29, 2026—the moonrise time listed by Drik Panchang. Traditionally, the fast ends after sighting the Moon and completing the customary prayers.
Karwa Chauth is widely observed by married Hindu women, particularly across northern India, with prayers for their husbands’ health, happiness and longevity. The festival falls on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi in Kartik under the Purnimanta calendar. According to Drik Panchang’s New Delhi listing, Chaturthi begins at 1:06 AM IST on October 29 and ends at 10:09 PM IST that night.
Moonrise Time: When Can You Break the Fast?
New Delhi’s listed fasting window is 6:31 AM to 8:17 PM IST, lasting approximately 13 hours and 46 minutes. Moonrise marks the expected start of the moon-sighting ritual; actual visibility can depend on clouds, haze and the surrounding skyline.
In many households, women view the Moon through a sieve, offer water and prayers, and then look at their husband through the sieve before accepting water and food. Devotees in Noida, Gurugram, Mumbai, Kolkata and other cities should consult a location-specific panchang rather than apply New Delhi’s timing everywhere. Families observing overseas should also check their local festival date and moonrise schedule.
Puja Muhurat and Essential Puja Samagri
The Karwa Chauth puja muhurat in New Delhi is 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM IST on October 29. This evening worship takes place before the later moon-sighting ritual. Depending on family tradition, devotees worship Karwa Mata or Goddess Parvati, along with Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya. Women often gather to listen to the vrat katha and perform the customary rituals together.
Keep a puja thali, karwa or earthen pot, water, diya, incense sticks, flowers, kumkum, fruits, sweets and other customary prasad ready. A deity image, red cloth, sieve, small offerings and a vrat katha book may also be required. Sindoor, bangles, bindi, mehendi and festive clothing form part of preparations in many households.
Fasting Rules and Sargi Traditions
The day traditionally begins with sargi, a meal eaten before sunrise. Many women then observe a nirjala fast, abstaining from both food and water until the evening moon-sighting rituals are complete.
Sargi foods and fasting practices differ across households and communities. Devotees generally prepare their puja items in advance, perform evening worship during the local muhurat and wait for the Moon before concluding the observance.
Karwa Chauth combines devotion with family traditions, festive dressing and shared prayers. Following the appropriate local timings helps families plan the day’s worship and the completion of the fast.
