Karwa Chauth 2027
A day without food or water, broken by the moon.
Countdown to Karwa Chauth 2027
Dates
When is Karwa Chauth?
Karwa Chauth 2027 falls on Monday, 18 October 2027.
Kartika Krishna Chaturthi falls on Monday 18 Oct; the fast ends at moonrise.
Date checked against drikpanchang.com
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 October 2026Thu | 1 day | Past |
| 2027 | 18 October 2027Mon | 1 day | Confirmed |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Spirit & Ancestry
- Tradition
- Hindu
- Where
- Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Crowd
- Observed widely across north India
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
Before sunrise there is a meal; after it, nothing at all until the moon comes up. In the evening the women of a lane gather in their finest clothes to listen to the story and watch the sky.
Karwa Chauth falls on the fourth day after the full moon in the month of Kartika, about ten days before Diwali. Married women, and increasingly some unmarried women and husbands too, fast from dawn until moonrise for the wellbeing of their partners. The day begins with sargi, a pre-dawn meal traditionally prepared by the mother-in-law.
In the evening women gather, often in red or bridal clothes with hennaed hands, to perform the puja together, passing decorated plates around a circle as the story of Karwa Chauth is told. When the moon rises they look at it through a sieve, then at their husbands, and break the fast with water and a first bite of food.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Karwa Chauth
Traditions
What actually happens
- Sargi — the dawn meal of fruit, sweets and dry fruits eaten before the fast begins.
- Mehendi and solah shringar — henna and full traditional adornment for the evening.
- Karwa — the small clay pot used in the puja, from which the festival takes its name.
- Moon sighting — viewing the moon through a sieve before ending the fast.
Food
The table, widened
- Sargi plates of pheni (fine vermicelli in milk), mathri, fruit and dry fruits.
- A festive dinner after moonrise, often with puris, halwa and the family's favourite dishes.
Music
Sound of the crowd
Women sing traditional songs during the evening circle as they pass the puja plates, and the day has become a fixture of Hindi film and television, whose songs now play alongside the older folk verses.
Religion
Why this date
The fast honours the goddess Parvati, often worshipped as Chauth Mata, along with Shiva and their family. Several stories are told during the puja, most commonly that of Veeravati, whose devotion restored her husband's life after she was tricked into breaking her fast early.
History
How it survived
Karwa Chauth is observed mainly in north and north-west India — Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Rajasthan has a temple dedicated to Chauth Mata at Chauth ka Barwara in Sawai Madhopur district, where a fair is held on the day. In recent decades film and television have spread the festival's image well beyond its home region.
History
How it got here
Karwa Chauth is observed mainly in north and north-west India — Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Rajasthan has a temple dedicated to Chauth Mata at Chauth ka Barwara in Sawai Madhopur district, where a fair is held on the day. In recent decades film and television have spread the festival's image well beyond its home region.
Traditional
Kartika fast
A women's fast on the fourth day of Kartika's waning moon is kept in north-western India.
1990s
On screen
Hindi films bring the evening ritual to audiences across India and the diaspora.
Today
Shared fasts
Many couples now fast together, and community pujas are held in diaspora cities.
Travel & practical
Visiting Jaipur for Karwa Chauth
Getting there
Jaipur International Airport (JAI) has flights from most Indian metros; the city is around five hours from Delhi by road.
Where to see it
Markets such as Jaipur's Johari Bazaar are busy with bangles, henna artists and puja items in the days before.
Practical notes
The puja itself is a private or community event; ask before photographing. Moonrise times vary by city, so check local listings.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Karwa Chauth: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Karwa Chauth.
When is Karwa Chauth in 2026 and 2027?
Karwa Chauth 2026 is observed on Thursday 29 October by most almanacs, though a few list 28 October. In 2027 it falls on Monday 18 October.
What time is moonrise?
It varies by city and is often obscured by cloud. Families check local moonrise times, which are usually between about 8 and 9 pm in north India.
Can unmarried women observe it?
Yes. Many unmarried women fast for a future or intended partner, often with slightly relaxed rules.
What is sargi?
The meal eaten before sunrise on the day of the fast, traditionally given by the mother-in-law.
Also in October 2027
You might also like
Other spirit & ancestry and hindu festivals.
Run a festival site or travel blog?
Find places to list your event and earn links in our free backlinks directory.