Karwa Chauth on October 29: Sargi timings, fasting hours and what to eat in Pune and Mumbai

Karwa Chauth will be observed on Thursday, October 29, 2026. For women who fast, the day begins well before sunrise with sargi, the pre-dawn meal that is believed to help sustain strength until the moon rises in the evening. Women perform the evening puja according to their family traditions and pray for their husbands' health and long life.

Sargi is usually eaten before sunrise, and the Brahma Muhurta is considered the auspicious time for it. The suggested window for sargi is 3.30 am to 5.30 am.

Sunrise is given as 6.33 am in Pune and 6.37 am in Mumbai. The fast is said to begin at 6.31 am and end at 8.17 pm. Sunrise, moonrise and puja timings can vary by location, so devotees should check their local panchang before making preparations.

Advice has also been given on what to eat at sargi. A well-planned meal before the fast begins can help provide strength. Traditionally, foods that supply nutrients, fluids and long-lasting energy are taken.

Items commonly included are dry fruits such as almonds, cashews and raisins. Along with these, seasonal fruits, including juicy fruits, dairy dishes such as kheer or milk with vermicelli, and water are taken. Drinking enough water before the fast begins is advised, in keeping with each family's fasting custom.

Women are advised not to rely only on sweets or on very heavy, oily food. A balanced meal with carbohydrates, protein, good fats and plenty of fluids can keep them more comfortable through the day.

Fasting customs differ from home to home. Many women, as per tradition, neither eat nor drink until the moon rises. However, those who have an illness, who are pregnant or who are feeling unwell should consult a doctor rather than observe the fast while ignoring symptoms.

The fast begins after sargi. Women usually abstain from food, and in many traditions do not drink water either until the moon rises in the evening. The day is spent preparing for the puja, arranging offerings and following family customs.

At the evening puja, the Karwa Chauth vrat katha is usually heard or read, and prayers are offered. After the moon appears, many women view it through a sieve, then look at their husbands, and break the fast with food or water along with a prayer.

Karwa Chauth, observed on the Chaturthi of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik, holds a special place among many Hindu communities in north India. Married women traditionally pray for their husbands' well-being, long life and prosperity.

Customs vary by region and family, but the festival brings together fasting, devotion, traditional rituals and family celebration. In many homes, sargi is not just the meal before sunrise but an important tradition, shared with the mother-in-law and other family members as the day's preparation.

As the festival falls on October 29, checking local timings in advance and preparing sargi the night before can spare devotees a last-minute rush.