Festival guide
Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth falls on the fourth day of the dark half of Kartika (purnimanta). Married women fast from sunrise until they see the Moon, praying for their husbands’ long life.
Karwa Chauth dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday 29 October | Ashwin Krishna Chaturthi 29 Oct, 01:07 → 29 Oct, 22:10 |
| 2027 | Monday 18 October | Ashwin Krishna Chaturthi 18 Oct, 17:52 → 19 Oct, 16:42 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at moonrise.
Also known as: Karak Chaturthi.
Story and significance
The best-known tale is of Queen Veeravati, whose brothers, unable to bear her hunger, tricked her into breaking the fast early with a false moon — and the misfortune that followed until she completed the vow properly.
How Karwa Chauth is celebrated
- Sargi — a pre-dawn meal given by the mother-in-law
- A nirjala fast through the day
- Evening puja with the karwa (clay pot) and the Karwa Chauth katha
- Viewing the Moon through a sieve, offering arghya, then breaking the fast from the husband’s hand
How to perform the puja: Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi — step by step, with a samagri checklist and timings.
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Karwa Chauth 2026?
Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Karwa Chauth 2027?
Karwa Chauth 2027 falls on Monday, 18 October 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Karwa Chauth change every year?
Karwa Chauth is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Krishna Paksha tithi 4 of Ashwin (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Karwa Chauth fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.