Karwa Chauth 2026

Karwa Chauth is observed on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the dark fortnight of the month of Kartik, in the North Indian purnimanta calendar. Married women, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, fast for the whole day for the long life and good health of their husbands. In many families the fast is traditionally nirjala, without food or water, from sunrise until moonrise.

Karwa is the small clay pot of water used in the puja, and Chauth means the fourth day. The same Chaturthi is also Sankashti Chaturthi, so many families pray to Ganesha as well (see Sankashti Chaturthi dates).

There are several traditional stories. This is a short retelling of the best known one, the story of Veeravati.

Veeravati was the beloved only sister of seven brothers. After her wedding she came to her parents' home and kept her first Karwa Chauth fast. By evening she was weak with hunger and thirst. Her brothers could not bear to see her suffering, so they made it appear that the moon had risen, and Veeravati broke her fast.

Soon after, she received the news that her husband had fallen gravely ill. Realising her fast had been broken before the real moonrise, she observed the fast again with full devotion, praying to Goddess Parvati, and her husband was restored to health. The story is told to remind women that the vrat is kept with faith and patience, and that the fast is opened only when the moon is truly seen.

Practices vary between families and regions. This is the common North Indian method. Follow your family's tradition if it differs.

1. Before sunrise: eat sargi, the pre-dawn meal. In many Punjabi families it is sent by the mother-in-law and includes fruit, dry fruit, sweets and mathri. Drink water, then begin the fast at sunrise.
2. During the day, keep the fast, rest and spend the time in prayer. Mehendi and getting dressed for the evening are part of the day.
3. Evening: dress in red, bridal or festive clothes. Prepare the puja thali with a lamp, roli (kumkum), akshat (rice), flowers, sweets and the decorated karwa filled with water. A sieve (chhalni) is also kept ready.
4. Women gather in the puja muhurat (5:38 PM to 6:56 PM in Delhi), worship Goddess Parvati (Gauri), Lord Shiva, Ganesha and Kartikeya, listen to the Karwa Chauth katha and pass their thalis to one another seven times in the traditional exchange.
5. After moonrise: look at the moon through the sieve, offer arghya (water) to the moon, and then look at your husband through the sieve.
6. The husband offers water and the first bite of food, and the fast is opened. The family then eats together.
7. It is customary to give a gift (baya) to the mother-in-law or an elder woman of the family and to seek her blessings.

The vrat is traditionally kept by married women. In many families engaged and unmarried women also fast, praying for a good life partner, and some husbands fast alongside their wives. It is a personal decision and should never be forced.

A nirjala fast of nearly fourteen hours is demanding. Women who are pregnant, nursing, elderly or unwell, or who have diabetes or another medical condition, should speak to their doctor first. Many families accept a fast with water, juice or fruit, and the sincerity of the prayer is what matters most.