Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Married women keep a day-long fast, traditionally without food or water, for their husband's long life and the family's happiness, and break it after worshipping the rising moon. Here is everything you need for the day, simply explained.
Karva Chauth 2026 at a glance
| Date | Thursday, 29 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Tithi | Krishna Paksha Chaturthi of Kartika (North Indian reckoning) |
| Evening puja | Around sunset: for New Delhi, panchangs give roughly 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM |
| Moonrise | For New Delhi, around 8:12–8:17 PM (earlier in the east, later in the west) |
| USA & Canada | One day earlier: Wednesday, 28 October |
Muhurat and moonrise depend on your city. Please confirm your local time in a panchang or with your family priest.
Free PDF guide
Karva Chauth 2026: Quick Guide
Date and moonrise, the whole day in 6 steps, a samagri checklist, the sankalp with its meaning and the katha of Veeravati: 7 phone-friendly pages. Enter your email and the download appears right here.
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The day, step by step
- Sargi before sunrise. Eat the sargi, often sent by the mother-in-law: fruit, dry fruits, sweets and plenty of water.
- Take the sankalp. With water in your right hand, state your vow.
- The fast. Rest through the day, apply mehndi and prepare the puja thali.
- Evening puja. Worship Ganesha, then Shiva, Parvati (as Karva Mata) and Kartikeya; listen to the katha; exchange karvas.
- Moonrise. View the moon through a sieve, offer arghya from the karva, then look at your husband.
- Break the fast. Your husband offers the first sip of water and first bite of food.
The Karva Chauth sankalp
The traditional vow, taken in the morning:
मम सुखसौभाग्य पुत्रपौत्रादि सुस्थिर श्री प्राप्तये करक चतुर्थी व्रतमहं करिष्ये।
mama sukha-saubhāgya putra-pautrādi susthira śrī prāptaye karaka caturthī vratam ahaṁ kariṣye
"For happiness, a blessed married life, for children and grandchildren and lasting prosperity, I shall keep the vow of Karaka Chaturthi."
The prayer to Karva Mata
नमः शिवायै शर्वाण्यै सौभाग्यं संततिं शुभाम् । प्रयच्छ भक्तियुक्तानां नारीणां हरवल्लभे ॥
"Salutations to Shivaa, to Sharvani. O beloved of Hara, grant to women filled with devotion a blessed married life and fortunate children."
Puja samagri checklist
Karva (clay or metal pot), picture of Karva Mata or Shiva-Parvati, Ganesha idol, chowki with red cloth, diya and ghee, roli, haldi, akshat, sindoor, flowers, incense, a sieve (chhalni), sweets, fruits, mathri, and a karva with gifts for the baya.
The katha of Veeravati, in brief
Veeravati, the beloved sister of seven brothers, kept her first Karva Chauth at her parents' home. Seeing her faint with hunger, her brothers lit a fire behind a tree and held up a sieve, making it look like the moon had risen. She broke her fast, and bad news about her husband followed. When Mother Parvati revealed the deceit, Veeravati kept the vow again with full devotion, and her husband was restored. The lesson: a vow kept sincerely and patiently is powerful.
If you can't keep a nirjala fast
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, unwell, diabetic or on regular medication, please speak to your doctor first. Many families accept a gentler vow, with water or fruit and milk, kept with the same devotion.
The complete guide
The Complete Book of Karva Chauth 2026 has everything in one place: the hour-by-hour plan, full samagri list, sankalp, step-by-step evening puja, every mantra in Sanskrit with transliteration and meaning, three vrat kathas (Veeravati, Karva, Savitri), the baya, and moonrise arghya. Instant PDF you can read on your phone during the puja. Use code KARVA30 for 30% off until 30 October.
Three days later, mothers keep Ahoi Ashtami for their children. See our Ahoi Ashtami 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is Karva Chauth in 2026?
Karva Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October 2026. In the USA and Canada it falls one day earlier, on Wednesday 28 October.
What is the moonrise time on Karva Chauth 2026?
In New Delhi the moon is expected to rise at around 8:12 to 8:17 PM. It rises earlier in eastern cities and later in western ones, so check your local panchang.
What is the Karva Chauth puja muhurat in 2026?
For New Delhi, panchangs give roughly 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM for the evening puja. Timings vary slightly by city.
What is sargi?
Sargi is the pre-dawn meal eaten before the fast begins, traditionally sent by the mother-in-law: fruit, dry fruits, sweets and plenty of water.
Can pregnant women keep the Karva Chauth fast?
Please speak to your doctor first. Many families accept a gentler vow with water, fruit and milk, kept with the same devotion.
Customs vary between families and regions; where yours differ, follow your family's tradition. This article is general guidance, not medical advice.