Karwa Chauth Puja Vidhi
Karwa Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Puja muhurat (New Delhi): 5:38 PM – 6:56 PM IST.
Puja muhurat 2026
Karwa Chauth 2026: Thursday, 29 October 2026
| New Delhi, 29 Oct | Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Chaturthi tithi | 1:06 AM – 10:09 PM, 29 Oct |
| Puja muhurat | 5:38 PM – 6:56 PM |
| Fast (upavas) | from sunrise, 6:31 AM, until moonrise |
| Moonrise | about 8:12 – 8:17 PM |
Moonrise differs by a few minutes between panchangs (Drik Panchang 8:17 PM, Real Panchang 8:12 PM) because they define moonrise differently; it is later in western cities (Mumbai about 8:56–9:00 PM). Karwa Chauth 2027: Monday, 18 October 2027.
Samagri list
- Karwa (earthen or metal pot with spout) with lid
- Water and raw milk for arghya
- Sieve (chalni) and a diya
- Roli, sindoor, akshat (rice), kalava
- Flowers, incense, ghee lamp
- Picture or idols of Shiva-Parvati, Ganesha and Kartikeya (or Karwa Mata calendar)
- Sargi items for pre-dawn meal
- Sweets, fruits, mathri and the baya (gift plate) for the mother-in-law
- Shringar items (bangles, bindi, mehendi)
Step-by-step vidhi
- Sargi before sunrise. Eat the sargi given by your mother-in-law before sunrise, then take the sankalp of a nirjala fast for your husband’s long life.
- Prepare the puja place. In the afternoon, set up a chowki with the Karwa Mata picture, Shiva-Parvati and Ganesha; fill the karwa with water and cover it.
- Evening puja in the muhurat. Dressed in shringar, worship Ganesha first, then Parvati (Gauri), Shiva and Kartikeya with roli, rice, flowers, incense and lamp during the puja muhurat.
- Hear the vrat katha. Sit with other women and listen to or read the Karwa Chauth katha, passing the thalis around (thali feri) as per family custom.
- Give the baya. Offer the baya of sweets, fruits and a gift to your mother-in-law and touch her feet.
- Moon arghya. When the moon rises, offer water from the karwa to the moon, view the moon and then your husband through the sieve with a lit diya.
- Break the fast. Your husband offers you the first sip of water and a bite of sweet to complete the fast.
Mantra
ॐ शिवायै नमः · ॐ नमः शिवाय · ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Many women also say the sankalp: “मम सुख सौभाग्य पुत्र-पौत्रादि सुस्थिर श्री प्राप्तये करक चतुर्थी व्रतमहं करिष्ये।”
Aarti
After the puja, perform the Gauri or Ganesh aarti (“Jai Ganesh Deva”) with a ghee lamp.
Vrat katha
Queen Veeravati, the only sister of seven brothers, kept her first Karwa Chauth fast. Unable to bear her hunger, her brothers showed her a false moon with a lamp behind a tree. She broke the fast and soon learned her husband had died. Through her devotion and by keeping the fast properly the following year, with the blessing of Parvati, her husband was restored to life.
Do’s and don’ts
- Do eat sargi before sunrise and keep the fast nirjala only if your health allows.
- Do break the fast only after offering arghya to the moon.
- Don’t sleep during the day or use sharp objects like scissors and needles, per tradition.
- Pregnant women and those on medication should consult a doctor; many keep a phalahar fast instead.
All times are IST for New Delhi. Muhurat changes with your city’s sunrise and sunset: check today’s Panchang for your location. Outside India (USA, UK, Canada and elsewhere) the date can differ; use your local panchang. Sources: Drik Panchang, Real Panchang, Economic Times.
Printable: use your browser’s Print or “Save as PDF” to keep this vidhi.
Frequently asked questions
- What samagri is needed for Karwa Chauth puja?
- A karwa with water, a sieve, a diya, roli, sindoor, rice, flowers, incense, sweets, the baya for your mother-in-law and a Karwa Mata picture or Shiva-Parvati idols.
- How do you do Karwa Chauth puja at home?
- Eat sargi before sunrise, fast through the day, worship Ganesha and Gauri-Shiva in the evening muhurat (5:38 PM – 6:56 PM in New Delhi), hear the katha, then offer arghya to the moon and see it through a sieve.
- Which mantra should you chant on Karwa Chauth?
- Common mantras are “ॐ शिवायै नमः” for Parvati, “ॐ नमः शिवाय” and “ॐ गं गणपतये नमः”.
- Can unmarried girls keep Karwa Chauth?
- Many unmarried girls keep the fast for a future spouse; customs vary, and some break it by seeing the stars instead of the moon. Follow your family tradition.
- Is there a Karwa Chauth puja vidhi PDF?
- Use your browser’s Print or “Save as PDF” option on this page for a printable copy.