About Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is observed on Kartika Krishna Chaturthi in the purnimanta calendar, four days after Sharad Purnima. It is celebrated mainly in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Married women traditionally keep a fast from sunrise until they sight the moon, praying for the long life and well-being of their husbands. In many families, unmarried women and husbands also keep the fast as a gesture of mutual care.
The day begins before dawn with sargi, a meal of fruit, sweets and dry fruits often lovingly prepared by the mother-in-law. Women dress in festive clothes, apply mehendi and gather in the evening for the Karwa Chauth katha. A popular story tells of Queen Veeravati, whose brothers, unable to bear her hunger, showed her a false moon, and of how her devotion later restored her husband's life. Women pass decorated karwas, small earthen pots, among themselves during the puja. When the moon rises, it is viewed through a sieve, water is offered, and the fast is gently broken.
How it is observed
- Eating sargi before sunrise, prepared with care by family
- Wearing festive attire and applying mehendi
- Gathering for the evening puja and listening to the Karwa Chauth katha
- Offering water to the moon and viewing it through a sieve
- Breaking the fast with water and sweets from one's spouse
Karwa Chauth dates in past and coming years
| Year | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sunday, 20 October 2024 | Past |
| 2025 | Friday, 10 October 2025 | Past |
| 2026 | Thursday, 29 October 2026 | Next |
| 2027 | Monday, 18 October 2027 | Upcoming |
| 2028 | Saturday, 7 October 2028 | Upcoming |
| 2029 | Friday, 26 October 2029 | Upcoming |
| 2030 | Tuesday, 15 October 2030 | Upcoming |
Dates are calculated from the Panchang for New Delhi. Some regions may observe a day earlier or later.
Across India
Celebrated widely in: Punjab Chandigarh Delhi Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Uttarakhand Gujarat
The same season is marked in many ways. Where a region keeps the festival on a different day, its calculated date is shown.
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh
Karva Chauth
Married women eat sargi from their mother-in-law before dawn, fast all day, and break the fast after seeing the moon through a sieve.
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh
Karva Chauth
Women gather in the evening with decorated karva pots to hear the vrat katha, and offer water to the moon.
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Atla Tadde
A similar fast to Gauri, broken after moonrise with small dosas (atlu). It falls on the Tritiya, usually a day before Karva Chauth.
The traditional fast is nirjala (without water); people with health conditions, pregnant women and the elderly are advised to check with a doctor and may choose a gentler fast with water or fruit.
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