VARANASI: Moonrise for Karwa Chauth is expected around 7:57 PM to 8:02 PM IST in Varanasi on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Residents preparing to sight the moon can use this as an expected window, while allowing for the view from their own neighbourhood. The exact minute varies by locality within Varanasi, and the moon may become visible later where buildings or the horizon block it.
When to look for the moon
The calendar maker Drik Panchang's Varanasi page for Karwa Chauth lists moonrise at 8:02 PM on Thursday. Its calendar confirms the festival date as 29 October and identifies the occasion with Kartik Krishna Chaturthi. The Chaturthi tithi begins at 1:06 AM and ends at 10:09 PM that day, according to the same page.
A separate astronomical calculation provides the earlier end of the expected window. Time and Date's October moon table for Varanasi lists moonrise at 7:57 PM on 29 October. The two published calculations therefore support looking around 8 PM, rather than treating a single minute as a guarantee of a visible moon from every home.
| Detail | Varanasi timing |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, 29 October 2026 |
| Expected moonrise window | 7:57 PM to 8:02 PM |
| City | Varanasi |
| Time zone | Indian Standard Time (IST) |
| Sources | Drik Panchang: 8:02 PM; Time and Date: 7:57 PM |
The moon is in its waning phase, after the full moon. Time and Date places October's full moon on 26 October, before Thursday's observance. Many married women keep a fast from sunrise on Karwa Chauth and break it after sighting the moon. For those households, the distinction between the calculated rising time and the first clear sighting matters.
Why the minute differs across Varanasi
Dashashwamedh Ghat, the BHU area, Sigra, Lanka and Cantt are examples of places where the local view can differ. No separate moonrise minute is being assigned here to any of these localities. A time calculated for the city cannot describe the height of a neighbouring building, a tree line or the open space available at a particular home.
Look towards the east to north-east, keeping the low horizon in view. Time and Date's table places the rising moon in that direction on Thursday. An unobstructed view is more useful than watching only the clock: if a nearby roofline hides the horizon, the moon must climb higher before it can be seen from that spot.
A clear view from a terrace or an accessible open area can help, but the expected window is not a promise of visibility. Clouds can also hide the moon after it has risen. Allow a few minutes for the moon to clear obstructions before deciding that it is hidden by cloud. Check the latest IMD Lucknow weather information before making evening plans.
For background, read our Karwa Chauth date and observance guide. Other local festival coverage includes Akashdeep at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Ramnagar Ramlila's coronation celebrations.
Wishing everyone observing the vrat a blessed Karwa Chauth.
