करवा चौथ
Karva Chauth
Married women fast from sunrise until they see the moon, praying for their husband's long life.
About Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth falls on the Chaturthi of Kartika Krishna Paksha, four days after Sharad Purnima. It is observed mostly in North India, in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
The fast is nirjala for most women, with no food or water from sunrise until moonrise. The day ends with the moon seen through a sieve, an arghya of water, and the husband offering the first sip of water.
How to celebrate
Eat sargi before sunrise, a meal of fruit, sweets and dry fruits traditionally sent by the mother-in-law.
Keep the fast through the day. Apply mehendi and dress in red or bridal colours.
In the evening, gather for the Karva Chauth katha and pass the thalis in a circle.
Offer prayers to Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva and Kartikeya with a karva, the clay pot filled with water.
At moonrise, look at the moon through a sieve, then at your husband, and offer arghya.
Break the fast with water and the first bite offered by your husband.
Do
- Have sargi before sunrise
- Keep water ready for arghya at moonrise
- Check the moonrise time for your own city
Avoid
- Sleeping through the afternoon katha
- Breaking the fast before seeing the moon
The story
The best-known katha is of Queen Veeravati, who broke her fast when her brothers showed her a false moon made with a lamp behind a tree. Her husband fell ill, and she regained his life by keeping the fast with full devotion the next year.
Questions
When is Karva Chauth in 2026?
Karva Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Krishna Chaturthi tithi begins at 1:06 AM on Thursday 29 October and ends at 10:10 PM on Thursday 29 October IST.
What time is moonrise on Karva Chauth 2026?
In New Delhi the moon rises at 8:12 PM IST. Moonrise is a few minutes earlier in eastern cities and later in the west. Pick your city in the timings card to see local times.
Can unmarried women keep the Karva Chauth fast?
Yes. Many unmarried women keep it for a good life partner. They usually break the fast after seeing the stars or the moon.
What if the moon is not visible because of clouds?
Families usually break the fast at the calculated moonrise time for their city, facing the direction of the moon.
Around Karva Chauth
Coming up
- Ahoi AshtamiSun 1 Nov
- Rama EkadashiThu 5 Nov
- DhanterasFri 6 Nov
- DiwaliSun 8 Nov
- Narak ChaturdashiSun 8 Nov
- Govardhan PujaTue 10 Nov
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