Karwa Chauth 2026 will be observed on different local dates in India and several US cities. While devotees in India will celebrate on Thursday, October 29, Drik Panchang lists Wednesday, October 28, for New York City, Los Angeles and Seattle. Families should follow their city’s calendar when planning the fast and evening rituals.
Karwa Chauth 2026 Date in India and USA
The festival is observed during Krishna Paksha Chaturthi, the fourth lunar day of the waning Moon. It falls in Kartik under the Purnimanta calendar and Ashwin under the Amanta calendar.
Local lunar-calendar rules and time zones determine the observance date. This is why families in the listed US cities will observe Karwa Chauth on October 28, while those in India will observe it on October 29.
Puja Timings and Moonrise in India and USA
For New Delhi, the Karwa Chauth puja muhurat on Thursday, October 29, is from 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM IST. Moonrise is scheduled for 8:17 PM IST, and the listed fasting period is from 6:31 AM to 8:17 PM IST. These timings apply to New Delhi; other Indian cities have different sunrise, puja and moonrise schedules.
| City | Observance date | Puja muhurat | Moonrise |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi, India | October 29, Thursday | 5:38–6:56 PM IST | 8:17 PM IST |
| New York City, USA | October 28, Wednesday | 5:57–7:18 PM EDT | 7:35 PM EDT |
| Los Angeles, USA | October 28, Wednesday | 6:04–7:22 PM PDT | 8:04 PM PDT |
| Seattle, USA | October 28, Wednesday | 5:58–7:21 PM PDT | 7:24 PM PDT |
All entries are local times for the respective cities. Devotees should check their own location rather than use another city’s moonrise timing.
Chaturthi Tithi Start and End Times
In India, Chaturthi Tithi begins at 1:06 AM IST on Thursday, October 29, 2026, and ends at 10:09 PM IST the same day.
In New York, it begins at 3:36 PM EDT on October 28 and ends at 12:39 PM EDT on October 29. In Los Angeles and Seattle, it begins at 12:36 PM PDT on October 28 and ends at 9:39 AM PDT on October 29. These represent the same tithi expressed in different time zones.
Spiritual Significance and Fasting Traditions
Karwa Chauth traditionally centres on prayers for a husband’s long life and well-being. Many married women observe a fast, perform evening worship and complete the rituals after sighting the Moon and making an offering.
Worship of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha forms part of the observance in many traditions. The karwa, an earthen pot used in the rituals, gives the festival its name. For devotees, the occasion expresses faith, marital commitment and care for loved ones. Family customs may differ, making local guidance useful when preparing for the day.
