How to Prepare for Karwa Chauth in 2026 [Complete Guide]
The important Hindu festival of Karwa Chauth, observed by married women, is quickly approaching. The celebration is extremely significant since it stands for devotion, love, and the durability of marriage ties. It’s time to prepare for this lucky event as 2026 draws near.
This blog will offer insightful information and helpful advice on how to fully enjoy this unique day, no matter whether you have been observing Karwa Chauth for years or this is your first time.
Prepare yourself to immerse yourself in the customs, ceremonies, and celebrations associated with Karwa Chauth so that you may truly make this year’s festivities unique.
Highlights of How to Prepare for Karwa Chauth
- Karwa Chauth is on 29th October this year.
- The festival of Karwa Chauth is celebrated by married women by fasting for their husbands.
- Here are some rituals that need to be performed in the festivals.
Karwa Chauth 2026 Date and Day
Karwa Chauth is a Hindu festival celebrated by married women in northern India. The Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on 29th October 2026. This festival falls before Diwali on the fourth day, after the full moon in the Kartik month. Married women fast for the whole day for their husbands’ long lives. It symbolises nature, a celebration of the institution of marriage.
Story of Karwa Chauth (Katha)
The Karwa Chauth puja is known for the storytelling of Princess Veeravati. She was the only sister of seven brothers. On her first Karwa Chauth, she visits her parents’ house. Fasting all day without water affects her weakly, and she faints.
The seven brothers couldn’t bear to see their sister under stress, and they tricked her, convincing her the moon had risen. Veervarti falls for her brother’s trick and breaks her fast. After that movement, the word arrived that her husband was dead.
She rushes to her husband’s place. When she revealed her pain and how he was tricked by her brothers, the goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, they instructed her to repeat the Karwa Chauth fast with full devotion, which would bring back her husband. The story ends happily as the king wakes up, and they live happily.
Getting Ready For Karwa Chauth
The North Indian women prepare for the festival a few days in advance. On this day, women get decked out in their best sarees. They mostly wear red or pink-coloured sarees with matching accessories. They get henna on their hands. 1-2 days before the Karwa Chauth, henna artists charge the highest. The price goes as high as Rs. 500-1000 per hand, depending on your desired design and the area of your hand.
Karwa Chauth Vrat (Fast) Vidhi
If you have seen the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, you will relate to the concept of Sargi. On Karwa Chauth Day, the mother-in-law gives Karwa Chauth Sargi to her daughter-in-law, which is known as a festive breakfast. Sargi should be consumed before sunrise.
It includes dry fruits, vermicelli, kheer, mathi and has lots of water, as you cannot have any food or water until the moon rises. Here are the following tips for women observing Karwa Chauth.
- Include lots of fruits like bananas, papaya, apples, etc. in the Sargi.
- Avoid oily and fried food in the morning, as these are heavy. Other than this, eat multigrain chapatti with vegetables.
- Also, avoid tea or coffee, as they dehydrate you later in the day. Instead, drink fresh juice, milk, and a cup of green tea.
- Have a few dry fruits like walnuts, almonds, and cashews.
How to do Karwa Chauth Puja at home
The Karwa Chauth Puja is performed during the evening. The women dress up and gather together to perform the puja. At the time of puja, the women sketch the goddesses Gaura and Chauth Mata on the wall, who are considered to represent the goddess Parvati.
The Katha is read and told to everyone as the Karwa Chauth thali with a sweet glass of water, Diya, Roli, Sindoor, Karwa, and other puja materials are passed around in a circle. Now all they do is wait for the moon to rise.
Breaking the Fast
Once the moon is raised, women break the fast. Different people break the fast in different ways. One is the traditional way, where women see the moon’s reflection in the thali with the help of a sieve and then look at their husband with the same sieve and pray for the safety and security of their husband.
Then the husband makes his wife drink water and breaks the fast. In recent times, husbands also do fasts for their wives, breaking stereotypes.
Fasting all day, you must be careful about how to break your fast:
- Start by drinking one glass of water; you should also have a few nuts.
- Avoid drinking tea or coffee after breaking your fast; it will create acidity.
- Also, try to avoid oily and spicy food. Eat easy and digestible foods like uttapam, dosa, vegetables, daal, oats, chapatti, paneer or rice.
- Eat some yoghurt.
- To finish your meal with sweets, you can have two or three dates, homemade kulfi or a small piece of dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Question
Can an unmarried girl keep Karwa Chauth?
‘Yes’ is the answer. It is acceptable for unmarried women to fast during the holiday. They pray on this day to the Almighty, asking for the blessing of a wonderful life mate.
What is the routine of Karwa Chauth?
Karwa Chauth is a Hindu festival observed by married women. The routine typically involves fasting from sunrise to moonrise without consuming food or water.
Women begin their day by waking up early, before sunrise, and having a pre-dawn meal called “Sargi”, which usually includes fruits, sweets, and other food items.
Throughout the day, they abstain from consuming any food or water. During the day, married women engage in various activities to pass the time, including getting dressed in traditional attire and applying henna on their hands.
In the evening, a pooja (prayer ceremony) is conducted, where women worship the moon god and seek his blessings for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.
Once the moon rises, women break their fast by looking at the moon through a sieve and then at their husbands. This ritual is followed by having a meal together, known as “sargi ka khana”, prepared with special dishes and delicacies.
What is not allowed in Karwa Chauth?
When celebrating Karwa Chauth, women should refrain from using scissors, needles, and knives to prepare cuisine. Additionally, excessive seasoning is discouraged. Coffee and tea should be avoided to reduce the likelihood of developing acidity.
Can we brush teeth during Karwa Chauth?
Yes, you can brush your teeth during Karwa Chauth. Brushing your teeth is not considered breaking the fast during Karwa Chauth. However, avoiding swallowing water while brushing is recommended to ensure that the fast is not compromised.
Can I sleep during Karva Chauth?
Yes, you can sleep during Karva Chauth. While it is common for participants to observe a fast from sunrise to moonrise on Karva Chauth, there are no specific restrictions on sleep. However, ensuring you are well-rested before and after the fast is important to take care of your health.
