Karva Chauth 2026 in Anand: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

TL;DR

• 🌕 Karva Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29, 2026 — Chaturthi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in Kartik month
• 🪔 Puja muhurat runs approximately 5:51 PM to 7:21 PM IST; moonrise expected around 8:33 PM
• 🛕 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and ISKCON Temple in Vallabh Vidyanagar are the key spots for morning darshan
• 🛍️ Bazaars around Anand town stock sargi supplies, karva pots, and mehendi from mid-October
• 📿 Sargi is consumed before sunrise; the full day fast ends only after sighting the moon

Karva Chauth is one of the most anticipated festivals of the year for married women across Gujarat. In Anand — a city with a deep Vaishnav faith tradition, a thriving town culture, and a close-knit community — the festival takes on an especially warm, communal spirit. Whether you are a long-time resident planning your puja or someone returning to family for the occasion, here is a complete guide to Karva Chauth 2026 in Anand.

The Date and Puja Timing

Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, October 29. The festival is observed on Chaturthi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik — referred to as Ashwin in Gujarat's Amanta calendar tradition, though the date remains consistent with the rest of the country. The puja muhurat is expected to run from approximately 5:51 PM to 7:21 PM IST. Moonrise in the Anand area is expected at around 8:33 PM, at which point women offer arghya to the moon through the chalni (sieve), view the moon's reflection, and then break their fast.

Before you plan your evening, confirm the exact timings from a reliable local panchang. Regional variations exist, and Anand's coordinates give it a slightly different moonrise window compared to Ahmedabad or Surat.

Temples for Morning Darshan and Puja in Anand

Many devotees in Anand begin Karva Chauth with a temple visit before the fast starts, seeking blessings for the day ahead.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Anand is among the most prominent places of worship in the city. Built on Vedic principles and conducting multiple aarti sessions through the day, this mandir draws large gatherings during festive occasions. The morning aarti at 6 AM and 7:30 AM tends to be particularly well-attended during October and November festivals. Arrive early if you plan a morning darshan on October 29.

ISKCON Temple in Vallabh Vidyanagar, within the Anand district, offers a serene setting for devotional practice. The temple runs regular kirtan and bhajan sessions, and its campus provides a calm, unhurried atmosphere suited to the meditative spirit of Karva Chauth. The temple also runs a free food programme, making it a community anchor well beyond festival days.

Swaminarayan Temple at Vadtal, a historic pilgrimage site closely associated with the Anand region, sees significant footfall around Kartik and Ashwin festivals. Women who time a Vadtal visit around Karva Chauth will find a deeply traditional atmosphere at this storied mandir.

Other mandirs such as Ashapuri Dham Piplav and Shree Rokadia Hanumanji Temple near Anand are also frequented by families during the festive season in October.

What Goes into the Puja: Sargi, Thali, and Supplies

The preparation begins the evening before. The sargi thali — traditionally assembled by the mother-in-law and consumed before sunrise — typically holds seasonal fruits, dry fruits, mithai, a small meal, and ingredients for the sixteen shringaar. In Anand, local mithai shops and fruit vendors around the main bazaar and the town centre begin stocking festival-specific items from mid-October onwards.

For the puja thali on the evening of Karva Chauth, you will need:

• A clay karva (ceremonial pot) with a lid and a diya
• A chalni (sieve) to view the moon
• Fresh fruits and sweets for the offering
• Sindoor, bangles, and shringaar items
• A small idol or image of Lord Ganesha for the sankalpa

Puja supply shops near the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir and in the lanes around established cloth and jewellery markets in Anand town tend to have well-stocked stalls in the weeks leading up to the festival.

Insider Tip: In Anand, it is common for married women to gather in neighbourhood groups — in a housing society courtyard, a park, or a temple premises — to perform the puja together after sunset. If you are new to the area, check with your housing society whether a group puja is being organised. The energy of a collective neighbourhood puja, with everyone waiting for the same moonrise, adds a warmth that solo puja cannot replicate.

The Day's Rituals Step by Step

The Karva Chauth fast is observed Nirjala (without food or water) from sunrise until moonrise. The flow of the day looks roughly like this:

Before sunrise: Wake early to consume the sargi before the first light of dawn, and take a vow (sankalpa) to observe the fast for the husband's long life.

Morning: Many women visit a temple for blessings at the start of the fast day. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and ISKCON Temple in Vallabh Vidyanagar are both active early.

Evening puja (5:51 PM–7:21 PM): Gather with the decorated puja thali. Listen to or recite the Karva Chauth Katha, offer prayers to Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha, and perform aarti while seeking blessings for the husband's wellbeing.

Moonrise (~8:33 PM): Offer arghya (water) to the moon. View the husband's face through the chalni and then through the moon. The husband then offers water to the wife, breaking the fast.

Families in Anand often round off the evening with sweets shared among neighbours, and many younger couples mark the occasion with a quiet dinner together.

FAQ

When is Karva Chauth in 2026? Karva Chauth falls on Thursday, October 29, 2026, on Chaturthi Tithi of Krishna Paksha in Kartik month (called Ashwin as per the Amanta calendar used in Gujarat).

What time is moonrise in Anand on Karva Chauth 2026? Moonrise is expected at approximately 8:33 PM on October 29 in the Anand area. Confirm with a local panchang for precise timings.

Which temples in Anand are good for Karva Chauth darshan? BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Anand town and ISKCON Temple in Vallabh Vidyanagar are the most commonly visited. Check with each temple for any special festival programmes.

Do Gujarati women observe Karva Chauth differently from other states? Gujarat follows the Amanta calendar, so the month name differs (Ashwin rather than Kartik), but the date and rituals align with the wider national tradition. Gujarati households may add regional mithai or farsan to the sargi thali.

Where can I buy puja supplies in Anand? Puja material shops near BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir and in the main bazaar lanes stock karva pots, mehendi, sindoor, and shringaar items from mid-October. Ready-made sargi kits are sometimes available at larger shops closer to the festival date.

Bottom Line 🌙

Karva Chauth in Anand is as much about community as it is about ritual. From morning darshan at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir to group puja gatherings in housing society courtyards, the festival weaves devotion and togetherness into a single October evening. Plan your supplies early, confirm moonrise from a local panchang, and enjoy the warmth of celebrating this tradition in your own city.