Karwa Chauth 2026: Married women celebrate the Karwa Chauth fast with immense enthusiasm and fervour. This year, the auspicious festival of Karwa Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29. During the Karwa Chauth ritual, devotees present the arghya (offering) to the moon after viewing it through a sieve. In Hinduism, the Karwa Chauth fast holds special significance; on this day, women observe a nirjala (waterless) fast for the long life of their husbands, breaking it only after sighting the moon at night. Husbands also present various gifts to their wives on this occasion.
The tradition of viewing the moon through a sieve and offering arghya is rooted in significant religious and mythological narratives. This custom, involving the moon and a sieve, has been practiced for centuries and carries its own unique importance. Furthermore, specific items are used in the worship, most notably the karwa (earthen pot), seenk (reeds/twigs), and *suhag* items (symbols of marital status). The Karwa Chauth ritual is considered incomplete without these seenk (reeds). If you also use these reeds in your Karwa Chauth worship, it is essential to understand their significance.
What items are used during Karwa Chauth?
The essential items for the ritual include a sieve, a diya (lamp), an earthen karwa, suhag materials, and, most importantly, seenk (reeds). During the worship, women place these reeds on the spout of the *karwa*. Moreover, according to scriptural guidelines, the ritual is not considered complete if these reeds are not used.
Auspicious Timing (Shubh Muhurat) for Karwa Chauth 2026
According to astrology, the auspicious time for the Karwa Chauth ritual will begin at 5:38 PM and continue until 6:56 PM. During this time, women can prepare for the rituals and worship Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Karva Mata. The *vrat katha* (the traditional story associated with the fast) of Karva Chauth is also recited.
The Legend Behind the Use of Seenk
There is an ancient legend—passed down through centuries—explaining why seenk (thin sticks or straws) are inserted into the spout of the karva (the ritual vessel) during Karva Chauth worship. According to the legend, a crocodile once caught the foot of Karva Mata’s husband. Using her divine power, Karva Mata bound the crocodile with these snakes and travelled to the realm of Yamraj (the God of Death).
At that time, Chitragupta—the celestial scribe—was recording the life accounts of individuals. Karva Mata used the same seenk to separate the specific entry regarding her husband from Chitragupta’s records, compelling Yamraj to intervene, protect her husband, and save his life. Since then, it has been believed that using these seeds during the Karva Chauth rituals blesses one’s husband with a long life.
How many seank are used in the ritual?
During the Karva Chauth worship, seenk are placed in four locations, with seven sticks in each—including seven sticks inserted into the spout of the karva. In total, 28 *skins* are used. When women hold the karva and perform parikrama (circumambulation) around the deity, these seenk must remain inserted in the spout of the karva.
What should be placed inside the karva (vessel) containing water?
Fill the karva with clean water and add a little Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges).
Add some whole (unbroken) grains of rice to the water.
Place a one-rupee coin or a silver coin inside the karva.
In some regions, there is also a tradition of inserting four or seven seenk into the spout of the *karva*.
At what time will the moon rise on Karva Chauth in Delhi?
In New Delhi, the moon is expected to rise at approximately 8:17 PM on October 29th. The time of moonrise may vary from city to city. Clouds or haze could also delay the visibility of the moon. Therefore, women observing the fast should be sure to check the moonrise time for their specific city.