Karwa Chauth 2026 will be observed on Thursday, October 29, 2026. It is an important Hindu festival traditionally associated with married women who observe a fast and offer prayers for the long life, well-being and prosperity of their husbands.
The festival is also known as Karva Chauth or Karaka Chaturthi. According to the 2026 Panchang, the Chaturthi Tithi begins late on October 28 and ends on October 29.
When is Karwa Chauth 2026?
Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
| Event | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Karwa Chauth 2026 | October 29, 2026 | Thursday |
| Chaturthi Tithi Begins | October 28, 2026 | Wednesday |
| Chaturthi Tithi Ends | October 29, 2026 | Thursday |
| Karwa Chauth Puja | October 29, 2026 | Thursday |
| Moonrise | Evening of October 29 | Thursday |
Drik Panchang lists Karwa Chauth on October 29 and notes that the exact puja and moonrise times vary according to location.
Is Karwa Chauth 2026 a Holiday?
Karwa Chauth is generally observed as a restricted or optional holiday rather than a nationwide public holiday in India.
Timeanddate lists Karaka Chaturthi (Karwa Chauth) on October 29, 2026 as a restricted holiday. A restricted holiday allows eligible employees to choose the day off from a designated list, while most offices and businesses may remain open.
The holiday status can also depend on the state, organization or employer. For example, the 2026 Karnataka government holiday list includes Karaka Chaturthi (Karwa Chauth) on October 29.
Therefore, Karwa Chauth should not be described as a national public holiday across India.
What is Karwa Chauth?
Karwa Chauth is a traditional Hindu festival observed on Krishna Paksha Chaturthi. The festival is particularly associated with married women, who traditionally observe a fast and perform prayers for the well-being and long life of their husbands.
The fast is generally maintained from after the pre-dawn meal until the Moon is sighted in the evening. After seeing the Moon, devotees perform the customary rituals and break the fast.
The festival is associated with the worship of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya in various traditions.
Karwa Chauth 2026 Fasting Time
The fasting period begins before sunrise and continues until the Moon is sighted in the evening.
For New Delhi, Drik Panchang gives the following approximate 2026 timings:
- Fast begins: 6:31 AM
- Puja Muhurat: 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM
- Moonrise: approximately 8:17 PM
- Fast duration: about 13 hours 46 minutes
These times are location-specific. Moonrise and other Panchang timings can differ from one city to another.
For this reason, people should check the local Panchang for their city before following a specific fasting or puja time.
Karwa Chauth Puja
The evening puja is one of the central parts of Karwa Chauth.
Women traditionally dress in festive clothing, prepare a puja thali and gather with family or other women observing the vrat. The puja includes prayers, offerings and the Karwa Chauth vrat katha according to local customs.
After the Moon rises, the Moon is worshipped and water is offered. The fast is then traditionally broken.
Karwa Chauth Moonrise 2026
The Moon is especially important on Karwa Chauth because the traditional fast is completed after Moon sighting.
For New Delhi, the expected Moonrise on October 29, 2026 is around 8:17 PM according to Drik Panchang.
However, Moonrise is not the same everywhere in India. Cities farther east or west can have different Moonrise times.
If your website provides city-specific Karwa Chauth timings, it is better to display the local Moonrise time rather than using one time for the whole country.
Significance of Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth has strong cultural and family significance. The traditional observance focuses on prayer, devotion and wishes for the health and long life of one’s spouse.
The festival is also an occasion for families and communities to come together. Women may gather for the evening puja, exchange traditional items and share the festive atmosphere.
In modern celebrations, couples and families may also celebrate together, while the religious observance continues to follow local traditions.
Karwa Chauth 2026 Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival | Karwa Chauth |
| Also known as | Karva Chauth / Karaka Chaturthi |
| Year | 2026 |
| Date | October 29, 2026 |
| Day | Thursday |
| Tithi | Krishna Paksha Chaturthi |
| Month | Kartik in the North Indian calendar |
| Traditional fast | From before sunrise until Moon sighting |
| Holiday type | Restricted/optional in many calendars |
| Associated deities | Shiva and Parvati, with regional traditions |
| Next major festival | Dhanteras / Diwali season |
Karwa Chauth falls on the same Gregorian date across India in 2026, although local puja and Moonrise timings vary by location.
Karwa Chauth and the Hindu Calendar
Karwa Chauth is observed during Krishna Paksha Chaturthi. In the North Indian Purnimanta calendar, the festival falls in the month of Kartik.
In some parts of western and southern India, the same period can be referred to as the Ashwin month under the Amanta calendar system. The difference is in the naming of the lunar month, not the 2026 festival date.
Is Karwa Chauth a Government Holiday?
Karwa Chauth is not a compulsory nationwide public holiday.
It is commonly included among restricted or optional holidays. The 2026 central government-related holiday calendar lists Karaka Chaturthi (Karwa Chauth) on Thursday, October 29 under restricted holidays.
State governments, banks, schools and private companies can have their own holiday policies, so employees should check the applicable holiday calendar.
Karwa Chauth 2026 FAQs
When is Karwa Chauth in 2026?
Karwa Chauth 2026 will be observed on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Is Karwa Chauth a public holiday in India?
Karwa Chauth is generally a restricted or optional holiday, rather than a nationwide public holiday. The exact holiday status can vary by state and organization.
What day is Karwa Chauth in 2026?
Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
When does the Karwa Chauth fast end?
Traditionally, the fast ends after the Moon is sighted and the evening rituals are completed. The exact Moonrise time depends on the location.
When is Karwa Chauth Moonrise in 2026?
For New Delhi, Moonrise is approximately 8:17 PM on October 29, 2026. Other cities will have different Moonrise times.
What is another name for Karwa Chauth?
Karwa Chauth is also known as Karva Chauth and Karaka Chaturthi.
Is Karwa Chauth on October 29 or October 30 in 2026?
Karwa Chauth is observed on October 29, 2026. The Chaturthi Tithi ends on the evening of October 29, which is why October 29 is the festival date.
Final Thoughts
Karwa Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, October 29, 2026. It is an important Hindu festival centered around fasting, prayer and traditional evening rituals.
Although Karwa Chauth is often called a holiday, it is important to distinguish it from a nationwide public holiday. It is generally treated as a restricted or optional holiday, and the exact holiday policy can differ between states and organizations.
For anyone planning the vrat, puja or Moon-sighting ritual, the local city Panchang should be checked because Moonrise and puja timings vary by location.