Quick answer: Thursday 29 October 2026 is Karwa Chauth in India, together with Vakratunda Sankashti Chaturthi and the Jain Rohini Vrat. In Hyderabad, Krishna Chaturthi runs until 10:09 PM (IST) and the moon rises at 8:41 PM; Rohini nakshatra lasts until 11:11 AM, then Mrigashira. Fast from dawn, worship Gauri, Ganesha and the moon in the evening, and break the fast after moonrise.

All three of today's observances wait for the same moon. Married women across North India keep Karwa Chauth for their husbands' well-being; Ganesha devotees everywhere keep Sankashti to remove obstacles; and Jain women keep Rohini Vrat. Whether you follow one or none, tonight is a beautiful evening to look up at the waning moon and pray for the people you love.

Today's Panchang (Hyderabad)

Panchang elementHyderabad (IST)
DateThursday 29 October 2026
Lunar monthAshwina (amanta, Telugu); Kartika (purnimanta, North India)
PakshaKrishna paksha
TithiChaturthi until 10:09 PM, then Panchami
NakshatraRohini until 11:11 AM
YogaParigha until 12:06 AM, Oct 30
KaranaBava
Sunrise06:13 AM
Sunset05:46 PM
Moonrise08:41 PM
Moonset09:18 AM
Observances (Drik)Karwa Chauth, Rohini Vrat, Vakratunda Sankashti

Source: Drik Panchang day panchang for Hyderabad. Muhurta, Rahu Kalam and the Karwa Chauth puja muhurat are not in our verified data for this date; please check a local panchang.

Karwa Chauth 2026 in brief

Karwa Chauth is kept on the Chaturthi of the dark fortnight of Kartik (purnimanta), mainly in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and among their communities worldwide. The day begins with sargi, a pre-dawn meal often given by the mother-in-law. Women fast through the day, gather in the evening for the katha and puja with a karva (a small spouted pot), and after moonrise look at the moon, often through a sieve, offer water (arghya), and break the fast from their husband's hand.

We have detailed guides, so this page only summarises them:

Vakratunda Sankashti and Rohini Vrat

Sankashti Chaturthi is the monthly Ganesha vrat of the waning moon. Devotees fast during the day and break it after seeing the moon and worshipping Ganesha. This month's name, Vakratunda, recalls the curved trunk with which, in devotional understanding, Ganesha bends obstacles aside. For the moon rules, see Sankashti Chaturthi moon rules; next month's is Ganadhipa Sankashti in November.

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Rohini Vrat is a Jain observance kept when Rohini nakshatra prevails after sunrise. Today Rohini runs until 11:11 AM in Hyderabad. Jain families should follow their own calendar for the exact practice.

Religious significance

Karwa Chauth's stories, such as that of Queen Veeravati, are folk and katha traditions, recited from booklets and by elders rather than drawn from a single scripture. Their message is consistent: love, loyalty and prayer for the family. Many women worship Gauri and Shiva with Ganesha and Kartikeya, the whole divine family, which links the festival to the ideal of Parvati's devotion.

Thursday, Guruvara, is a day for Vishnu and the guru, and Ganesha is worshipped first in any puja. Rohini, the morning's nakshatra, is the Moon's favourite among the stars in Puranic stories, which makes it a tender companion to a festival that ends with moonrise.

Simple evening puja (for Karwa Chauth or Sankashti)

  1. If fasting, take a light pre-dawn meal (sargi) before sunrise at 6:13 AM in Hyderabad.
  2. In the late afternoon, set up a picture of Gauri, Shiva and Ganesha, a lamp, a karva or small pot of water, and some sweets.
  3. Begin with Ganesha, then worship Gauri with kumkum, flowers and bangles. Listen to or read the Karwa Chauth katha with other women if you can.
  4. For Sankashti, offer durva grass and modak or any sweet to Ganesha.
  5. After moonrise (8:41 PM in Hyderabad), offer water to the moon, look at it (through a sieve, if that is your custom), and pray for your family.
  6. Break the fast with water and prasad, then share the meal.

No materials? A lamp, a glass of water and a prayer are enough. Offer the water to the moon after it rises and say Ganesha's name.

Essential versus optional: prayer and the moonrise arghya are essential. Sargi, the nirjala fast, the sieve, the karva exchange, specific clothes and the gift from the husband are cherished customs that vary by region.

Mantra for the day

Oṃ Gaṃ Gaṇapataye Namaḥ

Meaning: Om, salutations to Ganapati, whose seed syllable is Gam. Ganesha is worshipped at the start of every puja and is the deity of Sankashti. Chant it before the evening puja; it is an offering of devotion, not a guarantee of any outcome.

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Vrat guidance

Karwa Chauth is traditionally a nirjala fast from sargi until moonrise; Sankashti is often a phalahar fast until moonrise. Both are acts of love, not tests of endurance. Women who are pregnant or nursing, elderly people and anyone with diabetes, low blood pressure or another medical condition should not feel obliged to fast and should consult a doctor. Taking water, or keeping only the evening puja, is a complete observance. Husbands increasingly fast alongside their wives, which many families find meaningful.

What you can do today

  • Finish sargi before sunrise if you are fasting, and drink enough water then.
  • Join or host a small Karwa Chauth katha gathering in the late afternoon.
  • Offer 21 blades of durva grass to Ganesha for Sankashti.
  • Check your own city's moonrise; in Hyderabad it is 8:41 PM.
  • Call a relative abroad: if they are in the USA or Canada, their Karwa Chauth was yesterday.
  • After the fast, give a small gift or food to someone who helped you through the day.

For families and children

Children can help set up the puja plate, decorate the karva, and watch for the moon. Make moon-spotting a game: who will see it first? Talk about why people fast for those they love. For Sankashti, teach the youngest children to bow to Ganesha before starting homework, and explain that Vakratunda means 'curved trunk'.

Hindus abroad: sunrise, sunset and tithi today

Local times below are for each city and are not converted from India. Chaturthi is current at local sunrise in every city listed except Sydney, where Tritiya still runs.

CountryCitySunrise (local)Sunset (local)Tithi at local sunriseNakshatra at local sunrise
USANew York7:21 AM5:57 PMKrishna ChaturthiMrigashira
UKLondon6:46 AM4:40 PMKrishna ChaturthiMrigashira
CanadaToronto7:47 AM6:13 PMKrishna ChaturthiMrigashira
AustraliaSydney5:56 AM7:21 PMKrishna TritiyaRohini
BrazilSão Paulo5:21 AM6:19 PMKrishna ChaturthiMrigashira
UAEDubai6:23 AM5:41 PMKrishna ChaturthiRohini
SingaporeSingapore6:45 AM6:51 PMKrishna ChaturthiRohini
MalaysiaKuala Lumpur6:55 AM6:58 PMKrishna ChaturthiRohini
GermanyFrankfurt7:08 AM5:08 PMKrishna ChaturthiMrigashira
South AfricaDurban5:02 AM6:16 PMKrishna ChaturthiRohini
EuropeAmsterdam7:28 AM5:18 PMKrishna ChaturthiMrigashira

Computed with HinduTone's panchang calculator, validated against Drik Panchang; festival dates abroad can differ by a day — follow your temple's panchang.

Frequently asked questions

Is Karwa Chauth on 29 October 2026?

Yes, in India. Drik Panchang lists Karwa Chauth on Thursday 29 October 2026. Krishna Chaturthi is current at moonrise, which is what the festival requires. In the USA and Canada it falls a day earlier, on Wednesday 28 October.

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What time is moonrise on Karwa Chauth in Hyderabad?

8:41 PM IST in Hyderabad. Moonrise varies by city across India, so for Delhi, Mumbai and other cities see our Karwa Chauth city-wise moonrise guide.

What is Vakratunda Sankashti?

Sankashti Chaturthi is the monthly Ganesha fast on the Chaturthi of the waning moon, broken after moonrise. Each month's Sankashti has a name for a form of Ganesha; in this month it is Vakratunda, 'the one with the curved trunk'.

What is Rohini Vrat?

Rohini Vrat is a Jain observance kept on the day Rohini nakshatra prevails, traditionally by women, with fasting and worship. Today Rohini runs until 11:11 AM in Hyderabad. Jain families follow the date given by their own calendar.

Can I drink water during the Karwa Chauth fast?

The traditional fast is nirjala (without water) from sargi before dawn until moonrise, but this is a choice, not an obligation. Pregnant women, the elderly and anyone with a medical condition should not feel obliged to fast and should consult a doctor.

Is Karwa Chauth on the same day in the UK and Europe?

Yes. In the UK and in Europe, Karwa Chauth 2026 is on Thursday 29 October, the same day as India. See our UK and Europe moonrise guides for local times.

A closing reflection

All day the women wait for the moon, and the moon, rising late, never fails to come. May our love be as faithful, our prayers as patient, and may Ganesha clear the path for every family tonight. Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.

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Editor's note

Editor's note (9 October 2026): Panchang timings and festival observances can vary by location, regional calendar and family tradition. This guide follows Drik Panchang for Hyderabad (IST). Please verify local puja timings with a trusted panchang or priest.