Karwa Chauth Dates 2026

Karwa Chauth

What is Karwa Chauth?

Karwa Chauth is the fast kept by married women for the long life and well-being of their husbands, from sunrise until they see the Moon. It is observed mainly in North India: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Women worship Goddess Parvati (Gauri), Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha, and the karwa, the clay pot that gives the day its name.

Which day is it kept?

Karwa Chauth falls on the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartika (Purnimanta), which is Ashwina in the Amanta calendar: the Sankashti Chaturthi of that month. Like every Sankashti, it is kept on the day Chaturthi prevails at moonrise. The date and times on this page are for your location.

The times of the day

• Sargi: a meal before sunrise, traditionally given by the mother-in-law.
• Upavasa: the fast, without food or water, from sunrise to moonrise.
• Puja Muhurat: the evening puja, from sunset for the first 3 of the night's 30 ghatis (about an hour and a quarter). Women gather to hear the Karwa Chauth katha and pass the decorated karwas around the circle.
• Moonrise: the Moon is offered water (arghya) and seen through a sieve, then the husband's face; the husband gives the first sip of water and bite of food, and the fast ends.