Karva Chauth 2026 - Date, moonrise time and fast significance.
Karwa Chauth is observed by married Hindu women who fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life, prosperity, and well-being of their husbands. The fast is broken only after the wife sights the moon through a sieve and then looks at her husband's face.
Moonrise times vary by city. The times shown are approximate for Delhi/North India. Check a local panchang or city-specific app for the exact moonrise time at your location.
| Year | Karwa Chauth Date | Day | Moonrise (Delhi approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 Oct 2024 | Sun | ~8:00 PM |
| 2025 | 10 Oct 2025 | Fri | ~8:10 PM |
| 2026 | 28 Oct 2026 | Wed | ~8:05 PM |
| 2027 | 17 Oct 2027 | Sun | ~7:58 PM |
| 2028 | 06 Oct 2028 | Fri | ~7:55 PM |
| 2029 | 24 Oct 2029 | Wed | ~8:02 PM |
| 2030 | 13 Oct 2030 | Sun | ~7:50 PM |
* Moonrise times are approximate for Delhi. Actual moonrise varies by 15–45 minutes depending on your location.
Karwa Chauth is a one-day Hindu festival observed primarily by married women in North India, during which wives fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life and prosperity of their husbands. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartik (October-November as per the Gregorian calendar). The word "karwa" refers to a small clay pot used in the puja, while "chauth" means the fourth day. The festival is most widely celebrated in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
The evening puja begins with women dressing in bridal attire, applying mehndi, and gathering in groups to listen to the Karwa Chauth katha (story). At moonrise - typically between 7:45 PM and 8:30 PM depending on the city - women view the moon through a sieve, then look at their husband's face before breaking the fast with water. The exact moonrise time varies by location: Delhi moonrise differs from Mumbai or Chandigarh by up to 20 minutes. This tool provides accurate dates from 2024 to 2030 with approximate moonrise times.
In recent decades, Karwa Chauth has spread beyond its North Indian origins. Bollywood films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) popularised the festival nationally and among the Indian diaspora in the UK, USA, Canada, and the Gulf. Today it is observed by women across India and in over 50 countries, making it one of the most prominent Indian marital festivals globally.