Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, October 29, observed on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi, when married women across North India observe a day-long, waterless fast for the long life and wellbeing of their husbands.
Karva Chauth 2026 Date and Tithi
Karva Chauth falls on October 29, 2026, on Kartik Krishna Chaturthi, the fourth day of the waning moon in the Kartik month. The fast ends only after sighting the moon in the evening.
Significance of Karva Chauth
Karva Chauth is rooted in the legend of Queen Veervati, who observed the fast and, through her devotion, saved her husband from death. Married women observe the vrat from sunrise until moonrise without food or water, praying for their husbands’ health, prosperity and longevity — one of North India’s most emotionally significant vrats.
Karva Chauth Vrat Vidhi
- Eat Sargi, a pre-dawn meal, before sunrise
- Observe a nirjala (waterless) fast through the day
- Apply mehendi and dress in bridal-style finery
- Listen to or narrate the Karva Chauth Katha in the evening
- Sight the moon through a sieve, then view the husband’s face
- Break the fast with water and food offered by the husband
Regional Note
Karva Chauth is observed with the greatest fervour in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, and has grown popular among Hindu communities across India and the diaspora.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Karva Chauth in 2026?
Karva Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
What is Sargi?
Sargi is a pre-dawn meal, often prepared by the mother-in-law, eaten before sunrise to sustain the woman through the day-long fast.
Why is the moon sighted through a sieve?
Viewing the moon through a sieve, then the husband’s face, is the ritual moment that marks the end of the fast, symbolising clarity and the transition from fasting to union.
Karva Chauth falls a few weeks before Diwali in the Kartik month. Explore more Hindu festival dates and rituals on Mythology Mantra. Dates are cross-checked with DrikPanchang.