Karwa Chauth 2026: Date & City-Wise Moonrise Times
Karwa Chauth 2026 date (Oct 29 in India, Oct 28 in North America) with approximate city-wise moonrise times for 45+ cities, plus puja vidhi, sargi, vrat katha and FAQ.
Karwa Chauth 2026 date (Oct 29 in India, Oct 28 in North America) with approximate city-wise moonrise times for 45+ cities, plus puja vidhi, sargi, vrat katha and FAQ.
Quick answer: Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026 in India (moonrise in Delhi ~8:17 PM IST), and on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 in the USA and Canada. Find your exact city moonrise time in the tables below — and remember the fast is broken only after you see the moon.
Karwa Chauth is the day-long nirjala (waterless) fast kept by married women from sunrise until they sight the moon, praying for the long life and well-being of their husbands. The single most-searched detail every year is one thing — what time does the moon rise in my city? This guide gives you verified 2026 dates and an approximate, city-wise moonrise table for 45+ cities across India, the USA, UK, Canada, the Gulf and beyond.
Karwa Chauth 2026 — key timings at a glance
- Date (India): Thursday, 29 October 2026
- Date (USA & Canada): Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- Delhi moonrise: approx. 8:17–8:18 PM IST
- Delhi puja muhurat: approx. 5:38 PM – 6:56 PM IST
- Fast: from sunrise (~6:31 AM in Delhi) until moonrise
- Tithi: Kartik (Kartika) Krishna Paksha Chaturthi
City-wise moonrise times — India (29 October 2026)
All times are approximate and local. Step out a few minutes early to watch for the moon, and confirm with your local panchang on the day.
| City | Moonrise (IST) — Oct 29 |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 8:18 PM |
| Mumbai | 9:02 PM |
| Jaipur | 8:29 PM |
| Lucknow | 8:08 PM |
| Chandigarh | 8:14 PM |
| Hyderabad | 8:42 PM |
| Bengaluru | 8:57 PM |
| Chennai | 8:45 PM |
| Kolkata | 7:48 PM |
| Pune | 8:59 PM |
| Ahmedabad | 8:53 PM |
| Indore | 8:40 PM |
| Kanpur | 8:11 PM |
| Patna | 7:53 PM |
| Bhopal | 8:32 PM |
| Ludhiana | 8:17 PM |
| Amritsar | 8:19 PM |
| Noida | 8:18 PM |
| Gurugram | 8:20 PM |
| Surat | 8:56 PM |
City-wise moonrise times — USA & Canada (28 October 2026)
Note for North America: Karwa Chauth is observed on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 here — a day before India — because the Chaturthi tithi falls on that evening in your time zone.
| City | Date | Moonrise (local) |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | Oct 28 | 7:36 PM |
| Edison / New Jersey | Oct 28 | 7:39 PM |
| Chicago, IL | Oct 28 | 7:28 PM |
| Houston, TX | Oct 28 | 8:43 PM |
| Dallas, TX | Oct 28 | 8:40 PM |
| Atlanta, GA | Oct 28 | 8:45 PM |
| SF Bay (San Jose), CA | Oct 28 | 8:08 PM |
| Los Angeles, CA | Oct 28 | 8:05 PM |
| Seattle, WA | Oct 28 | 7:23 PM |
| Washington, DC | Oct 28 | 7:56 PM |
| Boston, MA | Oct 28 | 7:16 PM |
| Phoenix, AZ | Oct 28 | 7:41 PM |
| Toronto, ON | Oct 28 | 7:46 PM |
| Brampton, ON | Oct 28 | 7:47 PM |
| Vancouver, BC | Oct 28 | 7:16 PM |
| Calgary, AB | Oct 28 | 7:27 PM |
City-wise moonrise times — UK, Gulf, Singapore & Australia (29 October 2026)
| City | Date | Moonrise (local) |
|---|---|---|
| London, UK | Oct 29 | 6:26 PM |
| Leicester, UK | Oct 29 | 6:20 PM |
| Birmingham, UK | Oct 29 | 6:25 PM |
| Dubai, UAE | Oct 29 | 8:29 PM |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | Oct 29 | 8:35 PM |
| Doha, Qatar | Oct 29 | 7:45 PM |
| Riyadh, KSA | Oct 29 | 8:07 PM |
| Singapore | Oct 29 | 10:04 PM |
| Kuala Lumpur | Oct 29 | 10:09 PM |
| Sydney, AU | Oct 29 | 11:14 PM |
| Melbourne, AU | Oct 29 | 11:55 PM |
Accuracy note: These moonrise times are computed from astronomical data and cross-checked against Drik Panchang for several cities (within about five minutes). They are a guide only — moonrise varies slightly with your exact location and skyline, so verify locally and watch the sky a little early.
Why is Karwa Chauth on a different date abroad?
Karwa Chauth is fixed to the Chaturthi tithi of Kartik Krishna Paksha, and it is observed on the day when that tithi is present at moonrise. Because the moon is sighted in the evening, and North America runs 9.5 to 13 hours behind India, that evening falls on 28 October in the USA and Canada, while it is 29 October in India, the UK, the Gulf, Singapore and Australia. This is the single most common point of confusion for NRI families — so if relatives in India are fasting on the 29th and you are in New Jersey or Toronto, you fast on the 28th using your own city’s moonrise.
The Karwa Chauth vrat katha (in brief)
The classic katha is of Queen Veervati, whose seven loving brothers could not bear to see her hungry and tricked her into breaking the fast early by mimicking a false moonrise — with tragic consequences that were only reversed by her renewed devotion and a complete, correct Karwa Chauth fast. Stories of Savitri (who won back her husband Satyavan from Yama) and of Draupadi are also recounted. Read the full history and legends behind Karwa Chauth for the complete stories.
Karwa Chauth puja vidhi — step by step
- Before sunrise, eat the sargi sent by your mother-in-law and begin the nirjala fast.
- Through the day, observe the fast without food or water; apply mehndi and wear festive shringar.
- In the evening, clean the puja area and set up the idols/images of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha and Kartikeya, with a clay karwa (pot) filled with water.
- Just before moonrise (during the puja muhurat), gather with other women, light the diya, and listen to or read the Karwa Chauth vrat katha.
- Pass the puja thali around in a circle as the katha is recited, and offer prayers for your husband’s long life.
- When the moon rises, view it through a sieve (chhalni), then look at your husband through the same sieve.
- Offer arghya (water) to the moon, take your husband’s blessings, and break the fast with water and the first bite given by him.
What goes in the sargi
- Fenia or sevaiyan (sweet vermicelli) — the traditional centrepiece
- Fresh and dry fruits for slow-release energy
- Paratha or mathri
- Coconut, a sweet (mithai), and a little juice
- Plenty of water before sunrise — crucial for a waterless fast
For NRI wives: late moonrise & cloudy skies
- Late moonrise: In Australia the moon rises after 11 PM and in parts of the US Midwest/East it can feel early — plan your evening puja around your city’s listed time rather than India’s.
- Cloudy or hidden moon: Wait until just after your listed moonrise time, then offer arghya in the moon’s direction. A panchang app or a quick call to family in a clearer nearby city can confirm the moment.
- No clear horizon (apartments/high latitudes): Step onto a balcony or terrace; if the moon is blocked, complete the rituals at the correct time facing the moon’s direction — intention and timing matter most.
Mehndi, shringar & solah shringar
Applying mehndi the night before and dressing in the solah shringar — red or auspicious attire, bindi, sindoor, bangles and jewellery — are joyful parts of Karwa Chauth. Many communities also exchange Karwa Chauth baya/thalis between the bride and her mother-in-law. These customs vary beautifully by region and country.
Related reading
- The history and legends behind Karwa Chauth
- Diwali 2026 — 5-day festival calendar at a glance
- Hindu Festival Calendar 2026 — complete NRI guide
- Sankashti Chaturthi — complete guide
- Diwali 2026 recipes — traditional sweets & snacks
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Karwa Chauth in 2026?
In India, Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026. In North America (USA and Canada) it is observed a day earlier, on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, because the Kartik Krishna Chaturthi tithi coincides with that evening’s moonrise in those time zones.
What is the moonrise time on Karwa Chauth 2026 in Delhi?
The moon rises at approximately 8:17–8:18 PM IST in New Delhi on 29 October 2026. Times differ by city — for example Mumbai is about 9:02 PM, Kolkata about 7:48 PM. Always confirm with your local panchang on the day.
Why is Karwa Chauth on a different date in the USA and Canada?
Karwa Chauth is observed on the day when the Chaturthi tithi is present at moonrise. Because of the 9.5–13 hour time difference, that moment falls on the evening of 28 October in North America rather than 29 October. This is why NRIs in the US/Canada fast on 28 October 2026.
What is the Karwa Chauth 2026 puja muhurat?
In New Delhi the Karwa Chauth puja muhurat is about 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM IST on 29 October 2026 (roughly the hour and a quarter before moonrise). The muhurat shifts with your city’s sunset and moonrise, so check your local timing.
What time can I break my Karwa Chauth fast?
The nirjala (waterless) fast is broken only after sighting the moon and offering arghya, at your city’s moonrise time. Use the city tables above as a guide and step out a few minutes early to watch for the moon.
What should be in the Karwa Chauth sargi?
A traditional sargi (the pre-dawn meal given by the mother-in-law) usually includes fenia or sevaiyan (vermicelli), fruits, dry fruits, a sweet, paratha or mathri, coconut, and plenty of water — eaten before sunrise so the day-long fast can be sustained.
What if the moon is not visible due to clouds?
If clouds hide the moon, wait until a little after your city’s listed moonrise time, then offer arghya in the direction of the moon. Many families also confirm moonrise via a panchang app or a quick call to relatives in a clearer nearby city, then complete the rituals and break the fast.
Can unmarried girls or NRIs keep the Karwa Chauth vrat?
Yes. Unmarried girls often keep the fast praying for a good life partner (some break it at star-sighting instead of moonrise), and NRIs across the USA, UK, Canada and the Gulf observe it fully — simply using their own city’s moonrise time.
What is the Karwa Chauth vrat katha?
The vrat katha tells of devoted wives — most famously Queen Veervati and stories of Savitri and Draupadi — whose faith and fasting protected their husbands. Reading or hearing the katha during the evening puja is an essential part of the observance.
How accurate are these Karwa Chauth moonrise times?
They are computed from astronomical data and cross-checked against Drik Panchang for several cities (matching within about five minutes). Treat them as approximate — moonrise can vary slightly with your exact location and horizon, so verify locally and watch the sky a few minutes early.
