Karwa Chauth Festival Date: October 29, 2026, Thursday
Karwa Chauth is an important fasting festival in Sanatan Dharma, especially observed by married women. On this day, women observe a fast and pray for their husband's long life, good health and a happy married life. The Narada Purana mentions special worship on Chaturthi during the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. This Tithi is known as Karkachaturthi or Karwa Chauth.
On Karwa Chauth, women observing the fast remain without food throughout the day and worship the Moon after it rises at night. They offer Arghya to the Moon. According to religious tradition, the fast is considered complete only after sighting the Moon and offering Arghya.
If you want to know when Karwa Chauth 2026 will be celebrated, when the Chaturthi Tithi begins and ends, when the Moon will rise, what the Puja timing is, how Karwa Chauth Puja is performed and what its famous story is, this article provides complete information.
When is Karwa Chauth 2026?
Karwa Chauth 2026 will be observed on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Karwa Chauth is observed on the Chaturthi Tithi of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, married women observe a fast and pray for their husband's long life and good health.
Karwa Chauth 2026 Date and Timings
• Karwa Chauth: Thursday, October 29, 2026
• Chaturthi Tithi Begins: October 29, 2026, at 1:09 AM
• Chaturthi Tithi Ends: October 29, 2026, at 10:11 PM
• Moonrise Time: After 7:58 PM on October 29, 2026
• Puja Time: 5:19 PM to 7:30 PM
The Moonrise, Chaturthi Tithi and Karwa Chauth Puja timings may vary according to your city. Therefore: - Check our detailed Panchang for accurate local timings.
Significance of Karwa Chauth Vrat
Karwa Chauth Vrat is primarily observed by married women for the long life and good health of their husbands. According to religious belief, Lord Ganesha is worshipped on this day, followed by Moon worship and offering Arghya after the Moon rises at night.
It is believed that the Karwa Chauth fast is not considered complete without sighting the Moon and offering Arghya to it. Therefore, women observing the fast wait for the Moonrise and break their fast only after worshipping the Moon.
Women observe Karwa Chauth according to their traditional and family customs. Women observing the fast for the first time may also perform the Puja according to their family's traditions.
How Many Years Should Karwa Chauth Vrat Be Observed?
According to religious belief, women may observe this fast throughout their lives for marital well-being and good fortune. If observing the fast for a lifetime is not possible, there is also a tradition of performing Udyapan after observing Karwa Chauth Vrat for 12 or 16 years.
Karwa Chauth is considered an auspicious Vrat for women. Worshipping Lord Ganesha and the Moon with faith and devotion is considered particularly significant on this day.
Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi
There is no single fixed Puja Vidhi for Karwa Chauth, as the rituals may differ across different states and families. However, worshipping the Moon and offering Arghya is considered an important part of this fast.
Women may perform the Puja according to their family traditions. Generally, Lord Ganesha is worshipped, followed by Moon worship and offering Arghya after Moonrise.
General Karwa Chauth Puja Procedure
1. Take a bath in the morning and take the Sankalp to observe the fast.
2. Prepare for Karwa Chauth Puja according to your family tradition.
3. Worship Lord Ganesha according to the prescribed rituals.
4. Observe the fast throughout the day with devotion.
5. Wait for the Moon to rise in the evening.
6. Have Darshan of the Moon after it rises.
7. Worship the Moon according to the traditional rituals.
8. Offer Arghya to the Moon.
9. Pray for your husband's long life and good health.
10. Break the fast after offering Arghya to the Moon.
For information about the auspicious timings associated with Lord Ganesha worship and offering Arghya to the Moon on Karwa Chauth: -Check our Panchang.
The Story of Karwa Chauth
According to a popular story associated with Karwa Chauth, there was a moneylender who had seven sons and one daughter. All of his children were married. On Chaturthi during the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, all the daughters-in-law observed the Karwa Chauth fast. The moneylender's newly married daughter also observed the fast for the first time.
After remaining hungry and thirsty throughout the day, the daughter became extremely weak and eventually fainted. Seeing their sister in this condition, all her brothers became very worried.
To save their sister, the youngest brother climbed a banyan tree and placed a lamp inside a sieve, making it appear like the Moon. The brothers then told their sister that the Moon had risen.
Believing her brothers, the moneylender's daughter mistook the lamp seen through the sieve for the Moon. She offered Arghya to it and then ate food.
After the fast was broken, Lord Ganesha became displeased. When she reached home, her husband became seriously ill, and the family's wealth was gradually spent on his treatment. As a result, her husband became sick and the family lost its wealth.
Later, the daughter realized that breaking her fast in this manner had been the reason for her difficulties. She deeply regretted her actions and began worshipping Lord Ganesha with devotion and according to the prescribed rituals.
Pleased with her sincere devotion and worship, Lord Ganesha blessed her husband with good health and restored prosperity to her household.
This story highlights the importance of faith, devotion and performing the Vrat and Puja sincerely and according to tradition.
Why is Arghya Offered to the Moon on Karwa Chauth?
Offering Arghya to the Moon is considered an important tradition of Karwa Chauth.
According to religious tradition, after seeing the Moon, the woman observing the fast worships it and offers Arghya. She then prays for her husband's long life and good health.
The fast is traditionally broken only after offering Arghya to the Moon.
What to Do on Karwa Chauth?
On Karwa Chauth, women may follow their family traditions and devotion and:
• Worship Lord Ganesha.
• Observe the fast throughout the day with devotion.
• Listen to or read the Karwa Chauth story.
• Wait for the Moon to rise.
• Have Darshan of the Moon and worship it according to tradition.
• Offer Arghya to the Moon.
• Pray for their husband's long life and good health.
• Break the fast after worshipping the Moon.
What Not to Do on Karwa Chauth?
It is considered appropriate to perform Karwa Chauth Puja according to one's family and regional traditions. During the fast:
• Do not break the fast without sighting the Moon.
• Do not skip the traditional Moon worship and Arghya.
• Do not engage in any kind of deception while observing the fast.
• Do not reduce the Puja to a mere display or formality.
• Do not ignore your traditional Puja rituals.
Religious Message of Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is associated with love, trust and devotion between husband and wife. On this day, women observe a fast and pray for their husband's health and longevity.
The story of Karwa Chauth conveys the importance of observing the fast with faith and sincerity. The tradition of completing the fast only after offering Arghya to the Moon is one of the distinctive features of the festival.
Frequently Asked Questions About Karwa Chauth 2026
1. When is Karwa Chauth 2026?
Karwa Chauth 2026 will be observed on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
2. When does the Chaturthi Tithi begin in 2026?
The Chaturthi Tithi will begin at 1:09 AM on October 29, 2026.
3. When does the Chaturthi Tithi end in 2026?
The Chaturthi Tithi will end at 10:11 PM on October 29, 2026.
4. When will the Moon rise on Karwa Chauth 2026?
The Moonrise time is given as after 7:58 PM on October 29, 2026. The exact time may vary depending on the location.
5. When should Karwa Chauth Puja be performed?
The Puja timing for Karwa Chauth 2026 is given as 5:19 PM to 7:30 PM.
Check the Panchang for the exact timing according to your city.
6. Why is Arghya offered to the Moon on Karwa Chauth?
According to religious tradition, the Karwa Chauth fast is considered complete after sighting the Moon and offering Arghya to it.
7. Who observes the Karwa Chauth fast?
Karwa Chauth is primarily observed by married women who pray for their husband's long life and good health.
8. For how many years should Karwa Chauth be observed?
According to religious belief, women may observe it throughout their lives. If that is not possible, the tradition of performing Udyapan after observing the fast for 12 or 16 years is also mentioned.
Karwa Chauth 2026 Date and Puja Timing
Karwa Chauth Vrat will be observed on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The Chaturthi Tithi will remain from 1:09 AM to 10:11 PM on October 29. Moonrise is given as after 7:58 PM, while the Puja timing is 5:19 PM to 7:30 PM.
Karwa Chauth is a festival associated with faith, love and devotion. On this day, women worship Lord Ganesha and, after sighting the Moon, offer Arghya and pray for their husband's long life and good health.
