Various cities in India witnessed the Karwa Chauth moon sighting on October 29, 2026, marking the time when many married women began breaking their fasts after a daylong vow. While the moon was visible clearly in Guwahati, Assam, regions like Delhi-NCR and several northern areas experienced cloudy weather, obscuring the lunar view. Despite the clouds, women started ending their fasts as the moon sighting time passed.
Moonrise Timing Across Cities
The moonrise schedule varied from city to city: Delhi-NCR and Noida saw the moon rise at 8:17 pm, Lucknow at 8:06 pm, Jaipur at 8:28 pm, Mumbai at 9:00 pm, Kolkata at 7:47 pm, and Bengaluru at 8:55 pm. At Guwahati, the moon appeared clearly, leading to joyous celebrations as many women concluded their fasts promptly.
Bad weather hindered lunar visibility in certain areas, but religious protocols emphasize the necessity of breaking the fast once the scheduled moonrise time has passed. Women observing the fast followed rituals accordingly, even without an actual glimpse of the moon.
Alternate Rituals When the Moon is Hidden
In cases where clouds prevent seeing the moon, devotees turn to Lord Shiva’s image or idol at home, since the moon is believed to eternally reside on his forehead. This belief allows women to fulfill the ritual of moon sighting by focusing on the Shiva idol.
After fasting throughout the day without food or water, married women offer prayers to the moon and then look at their husband’s face through a sieve before drinking water from his hand to break their fast. This ceremonial act signifies the well-being and prosperity they wish for their spouse.
The day begins before dawn with women consuming ‘Sargi,’ a pre-fast meal. They maintain the fast strictly, offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Karwa in the evening and awaiting the moonrise to complete their rituals.
In some regions, women gather on rooftops or open areas with decorated plates (thalis) to perform the Puja and offer water to the moon, symbolizing devotion and the husband’s long life.
Festival Celebrations and Key Observations
Karwa Chauth was also celebrated uniquely in unusual locations such as the District Jail in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, where 27 women inmates and 17 married couples participated in the rituals under jail administration arrangements.
According to the Panchang, the Chaturthi tithi began at 1:06 am and concluded at 10:09 pm on October 29. The auspicious time for the Puja was between 5:38 pm and 6:56 pm.
Women chant specific mantras like ‘Om Chandraya Namah’ and ‘Om Somaya Namah’ when offering water to the moon, praying for their husband’s health and a happy married life. The tradition also involves sharing sweets and seeking blessings from elders after breaking the fast.
