With three days to go before the fast, the question flooding family groups and search bars this Monday is simple: is Karwa Chauth on October 28 or October 29? The answer, confirmed across this week’s festival calendars, is Thursday, October 29, 2026, when women across much of India will keep the traditional nirjala fast, with no food or water from sunrise until moonrise.
The confusion is easy to understand. The Chaturthi tithi that decides the fast begins at 1:06 AM on October 29 and runs until 10:09 PM the same night. Some overseas calendars show October 28 because of time zone differences, but for India, October 29 is the correct date. If you booked anything for the 28th, double-check it now.
Karwa Chauth 2026: confirmed date and timings
Here are the key timings for Thursday, October 29, 2026, as published in multiple festival guides this week. Local timings shift by a few minutes from city to city, so use the city table below for your own terrace rather than guessing on the night.
- Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
- Fast begins (sunrise): 6:31 AM
- Puja muhurat: 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM
- Moonrise in Delhi: 8:17 PM
- Total fast: roughly 13 hours and 45 minutes, from sunrise to moonrise
The evening puja is the heart of the day. Women gather in the late afternoon, listen to the Karwa Chauth katha and pass the decorated thalis around. After the 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM puja window, everyone waits for the moon with the thali, the sieve and a glass of water ready.
City-wise moonrise time on October 29
Moonrise is not the same everywhere, and a few minutes can feel very long after a day without water. If you live in a smaller town, check your local panchang before the evening.
- Delhi, Noida and Gurugram: 8:17 PM
- Kolkata: around 7:45 PM
- Mumbai: around 8:50 PM to 9:00 PM
- Bengaluru: around 8:45 PM to 8:55 PM
When the moon appears, the fast is traditionally broken by offering water to the moon, then looking at your husband through the sieve, and then drinking water from his hands, followed by dinner with the family.
Sargi: what to eat before sunrise
The day begins long before the fast does. Sargi is the pre-dawn meal, traditionally prepared by the mother-in-law, and it has to be finished before sunrise at 6:31 AM. Most families sit down for it between 4 AM and 6 AM, while it is still dark outside.
A good sargi is about steady energy, not a heavy feast. Almonds, dates and walnuts, fresh fruit such as banana and papaya, a bowl of curd, and something filling like parathas or pheni with milk are popular choices, along with coconut water and plenty of plain water. Avoid very salty, spicy or fried food, and too much tea or coffee, which tend to make thirst worse.
If this is your first Karwa Chauth, plan the sargi the night before and set an alarm with time to eat slowly rather than rushing.
Puja thali checklist for the evening
Markets are already full of Karwa Chauth shopping, from red sarees and bangles to ready-made thalis. This checklist covers the essentials:
- A decorated thali, a karwa (the earthen pot the festival is named after) and a sieve
- A diya, roli, rice grains, flowers and incense for the puja
- Sweets, dry fruits and a glass of water for breaking the fast
- Mehendi, bangles and the rest of the solah shringar, done a day or two early so the colour sets well
- The Karwa Chauth katha, printed or on your phone, for the evening gathering
Red remains the classic choice for the evening, with sindoori red, deep pink and rust all popular this year. A pre-stitched saree or a Banarasi silk anarkali is a comfortable option if a heavy saree feels like too much after a day of fasting.
A note on health during the fast
Karwa Chauth is a demanding fast, and tradition itself makes room for common sense. Pregnant women, women with medical conditions, and anyone who feels unwell should speak to a doctor beforehand, and the fast can be broken early if health takes a turn. Sit down for the puja, and keep water and something light ready for moonrise.
FAQs
When is Karwa Chauth in 2026?
Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29, 2026, in India. The confusion over October 28 comes from time zone differences in overseas calendars.
What is the puja muhurat for Karwa Chauth 2026?
The evening puja muhurat is 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM on October 29, 2026.
What time is moonrise on Karwa Chauth 2026 in Delhi?
Moonrise in Delhi is expected at 8:17 PM on October 29, 2026. Timings in other cities vary, so check your local time.
What should I eat in sargi?
Eat before sunrise, by 6:31 AM. Dry fruits, fresh fruit, curd, parathas or pheni with milk, and plenty of water are good choices. Avoid very salty, spicy or fried food.
Can the fast be broken before moonrise?
Traditionally the fast is broken after moonrise, but if your health deteriorates during the day, it is sensible to break it early and seek care.
Three days out, confirm your date as October 29, sort the sargi and thali now, and keep Thursday evening free.
