Karwa Chauth 2026: Moonrise Time in Your City, Puja Muhurat and Why the US Fasts a Day Early

Karwa Chauth 2026: Moonrise Time in Your City, Puja Muhurat and Why the US Fasts a Day Early

At what time was it today? As Karwa Chauth is around the corner, this is one of the most frequently asked questions. If women are fasting, knowing the time of the moonrise assists them to plan the evening puja, prepare the thali and await the time to break the fast and pray.

Karwa Chauth is observed on Thursday, 29 October 2026 in India. The moonrise time in New Delhi, according to Drik Panchang is at 08.17 PM and puja muhurat is from 05.38 PM to 06.56 PM. The Moon, however, does not rise at the same time throughout the world, so please check the time for your city.

The festival day is celebrated on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 based on the panchang timings of the respective location for an Indian family residing in United States and Canada. All you need to know about the date, moonrise, puja muhurat, sargi and traditional celebrations.

Karwa Chauth 2026 Moonrise Time: City-Wise List

Below is the expected time of moonrise for major cities of India. If you are looking for moonrise time of Karwa Chauth or aaj chand kitne baje niklega, then the below table will help you.

These are the approximate times for the moonrise in the locality. The time can differ slightly, depending on the location and Panchang (calendar) followed. Before planning your evening, please refer Drik Panchang for the city you are in.

A difference starts to become apparent when you compare cities. The people of Kolkata will get to see the Moon before people of Mumbai. The approximate time of moonrise in Delhi is 8.17 PM and in Mumbai it is around 9 PM. Hence, the time used in one city for the entire country may lead to some confusion.

The Moon may not be visible at the same time as you are expecting if it is obscured by clouds, buildings or trees. Be sure to have local timing in hand and be generous with time.

Karwa Chauth 2026 Date and Puja Muhurat

The celebration of Karva Chauth is done on the day of Chaturthi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu lunar calendar. The festival in 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October in India.

The significant time for the city of NDLS as per Drik Panchang is:

• The date of Karwa Chauth: Thursday, 29th October, 2026.

• Puja muhurat: 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM

• Expected moonrise: 8:17 PM

• Fasting period: 6:31 AM to 8:17 PM

• Chaturthi Tithi starts: at 01:06 AM on 29th October.

• The Chaturthi Tithi will be ending: at 10:09 PM on 29 October.

Puja Muhurat (auspicious time) is the special time when evening worship is performed. The families come together for the puja, listen to the Karwa Chauth vrat katha and do the rituals as per custom.

Moonrise is later, when the people observing the fast, wait until moonrise to receive arghya and complete their rituals. The above timings are for New Delhi and other cities have their own puja muhurat.

Sargi – What Is It and When?

The pre-dawn meal that is traditionally consumed prior to the commencement of Karwa Chauth fast is called sargi. In some families the mother-in-law makes or gifts sargi to her daughter-in-law as a part of the festival.

The meal can consist of fruits and dry fruits, sweets, pheni and mathri for the women to prepare for the long day. Not all families are the same and what's included in the collection varies.

Sargi is usually consumed in the morning. In New Delhi, Drik Panchang states that the fasting starts at 6:31 AM, hence the meal is to be finished before the starting time of the fast. The residents of the other cities must refer their local Sunrise and Panchang timings.

It may be helpful to eat a well-rounded meal during the fast, as it can be a long one and sweets or fried snacks aren't always enough. As desired and appropriate, fruits, whole grains, nuts or other suitable foods may be added.

Those who are pregnant, ill, on medication which needs food or water, or have a medical condition should seek advice from a health care provider before undertaking a fast of more than 24 hours, without water.

What's the Reason Behind the Timing of Karwa Chauth Being a Day Earlier in the USA and Canada?

It can be perplexing for Indian families who live overseas to understand the date of the festival. Karwa Chauth is celebrated on Wednesday, 28 October (1 day prior to Indian date) in New York City in 2026.

It's not just because North America is several hours behind India. The dates of the Hindu festivals are set by observing the moonrise and the Chaturthi tithi (lunar period) in the local astronomical context. The festivals happens at various times of day, so the date of the festival may be different in different cities.

On 28 October 2026, for example, Drik Panchang in New York City has the following timings:

• The day of Karwa Chauth: Wednesday, 28th October 2026.

• Puja muhurat: 5:57 PM to 7:18 PM

• Expected moonrise: 7:35 PM

• Fasting Start Time: 7:22 AM (local time)

• Fasting End Time: 7:35 PM (local time).

These times are for New York City, and may not be applicable to all locations in the United States and Canada. If you live in Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago or California, or any other place, you might want to check the panchang, calculated for your city, if you are observing the festival of Karwa Chauth.

How Karwa Chauth Is Celebrated

It is a traditional festival celebrated by many married Hindu women especially in northern India, called as Karva Chauth. In the past women get ready to fast, dress up in festive clothes, get mehndi and attend the evening puja.

The decoration of thali, karwa/small pot, diya etc. are also included in the puja as per family tradition. Karva Chauth vrat katha is read to women and they pray for the well-being of their family.

Seeing the Moon, women pour the water (arghya), and look through a sieve at the Moon and husband before breaking the fast. Rituals vary according to region, household or family and not all families observe the same ritual.

The festival is a chance for family and friends to gather, enjoy the holiday feast and snap photos, too. Video calling can enable relatives who are unable to attend to still be there for the festivities.

The Moon Is Not Visible: What If?

A Moon will not be visible at the time as cloud, haze and buildings can obscure the view. If so, make sure it's not later than the moonrise time that you would expect for your city, and that the sky is clear from another open area.

There are various traditions of the families while the Moon is gone. When in doubt, do as your family does or ask a knowledgeable religious leader for advice. Please be aware that the moonrise time of other cities does not necessarily apply to you.

Final Thoughts

Karwa Chauth 2026 is on 29th October in India when the moon is expected to rise at 8:17 PM and the puja muhurat is from 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM in Delhi. The festival falls on 28 October in New York City where the moon will rise in the sky at 7:35 PM.

Please consult the moonrise time for your city before making your puja thali and/or arranging your evening. With a bit of planning, the day can go more smoothly and you can avoid some last minute surprises to continue your family's traditions.

No matter where you are, or what you are celebrating, keep in mind that local time is important. Check the final schedule from a well-reputed and reliable panchang which is based on the location.