Karwa Chauth 2026 in USA: Wed, Oct 28 — Puja Time by City

How the Karwa Chauth date is decided

The day on which Kartika Krishna Chaturthi prevails at local moonrise; the fast ends after seeing the moon.

Significance

Karwa means a small earthen pot with a spout and Chauth means the fourth tithi. On this day Lord Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati, Kartikeya and the Moon are worshipped. It is believed that a woman who keeps this fast with faith secures a long life for her husband and lasting love in the marriage.

Puja vidhi (brief)

1. Before sunrise (in Brahma Muhurat), bathe and eat the sargi given by your mother-in-law — pheni, sweets, fruit, dry fruits, mathri — and drink water. After sargi no food or water is taken all day.
2. Take the sankalp: 'I keep the waterless Karwa Chauth vrat for my husband's long life and good fortune.'
3. During the day do the solah shringar — red/pink saree or lehenga, mehndi, bangles, bindi, sindoor, mangalsutra, anklets, toe-rings.
4. In the evening set up the Karwa Chauth calendar/picture (Gauri, Ganesha, the Moon, the karwa) on a wall or wooden seat at the puja place. Fill an earthen or copper karwa with water, place rice and sugar on its lid, draw a swastik on it and tie mauli.
5. Prepare the thali — diya, roli, akshat, flowers, sweets, fruit, suhag items, a straw (seenk) to place in the karwa, and a sieve.
6. After sunset, in Pradosh Kaal, the married women of the family or neighbourhood sit together, listen to the Karwa Chauth katha and pass the thalis around in a circle (pheri), singing 'Veero kudiye karwada…' or 'Karwa Chauth Mata ki jai'.
7. Worship Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati and the Moon; keep the karwa water aside to offer to the Moon.
8. At moonrise (time shown above) go to the terrace or courtyard, look at the moon through the sieve, then at your husband's face through the same sieve. Offer arghya to the moon from the copper/earthen karwa and show the diya.
9. Break the fast with water and a sweet from your husband's hand. Touch his feet and take blessings.
10. Give baya — dry fruits, clothes, shringar items, sweets — to your mother-in-law (or the eldest married woman of the house) and touch her feet. Then eat with the family.

Frequently asked questions

Is Karwa Chauth 2026 on the same day in USA and India?

No. India: Thursday, October 29, 2026; New York (USA): Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The tithi is judged at the local deciding moment, which falls on a different calendar day here.

What is the puja time for Karwa Chauth 2026 in New York?

Moonrise (Karwa Chauth moon): 7:35 PM (EDT). Other cities are in the table above.

Which time zone are these timings in?

Each row is in that city's own local time with daylight saving applied (Eastern Time (EST/EDT) for New York).

What if the moon is not visible?

After the moonrise time, face the moon's direction (east) and offer arghya, remembering the moon on Lord Shiva's forehead. Many families in this situation offer arghya to the Tulsi plant or a temple shikhar and break the fast.

Can unmarried girls keep Karwa Chauth?

Yes, unmarried girls keep it wishing for a good husband; they offer arghya to the stars instead of the moon and do not look through the sieve.

How should a pregnant or unwell woman keep the vrat?

Keep it with fruit, milk and water — the shastras allow this for the sick, pregnant and elderly. Listening to the katha with faith and offering the moon arghya is what matters most.

What should sargi contain?

Pheni or vermicelli, mathri, halwa, fruit, dry fruits, coconut and water — light and sweet, so that you feel less thirsty through the day. Avoid very salty or spicy food.

Daily panchang in USA

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