Karva Chauth 2026 in Pimpri-Chinchwad: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

TL;DR

• Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, October 29 — puja muhurat runs 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM, with moonrise expected around 8:00-8:30 PM 🌕
• Pimpri-Chinchwad has 19 temples that serve as natural gathering points for the evening puja, from Radhakrishna Temple on Urse Talegaon Road to Vittal-Rakhumai Temple in Sambaji Nagar
• The full fast runs from sunrise on October 29 until the husband offers water after moonrise — no water or food through the day
• October also brings Navratri (Oct 11), Durga Ashtami (Oct 19), and Dussehra (Oct 20) — making it the year's most festival-dense month
• Sargi, the pre-dawn meal prepared by the mother-in-law, must be eaten before sunrise — set your alarm early ⏰

The Date and the Vrat

Karva Chauth 2026 lands on Thursday, October 29 — a Krishnapaksha Chaturthi in the month of Kartik. The puja muhurat for 2026 is 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM, and moonrise is expected between 8:00 and 8:30 PM across most of Maharashtra. In Pimpri-Chinchwad, the timing will follow Pune-region calculations, which fall within that range.

The vrat is a nirjala fast — no water, no food from sunrise to moonrise. Women who observe it eat Sargi before sunrise: typically a thali of fruits, dry fruits, mathri, and sweets prepared or gifted by the mother-in-law. Sargi should be eaten before the sun comes up, which on October 29 in Pimpri-Chinchwad means finishing the meal by around 6:00 AM.

The puja itself requires a specific thali setup: a lit diya, a karva (an earthen pot filled with water), a chhalni (sieve), fresh flowers, incense, and sweets. As dusk arrives, women gather — in community groups at temples or with neighbors at home — to perform the puja together and listen to the Karva Chauth vrat katha. After moonrise, the husband offers his wife water or juice through the chhalni, formally breaking the fast.

Where to Observe Puja in Pimpri-Chinchwad

Pimpri-Chinchwad's 19 temples provide a network of community spaces for group puja gatherings on Karva Chauth evening. Temples dedicated to female or family-centered deities tend to be especially active on this day.

Vittal-Rakhumai Temple in Shivaji Park, Sambaji Nagar is one of the more prominent Varkari-tradition temples in the city and draws consistent attendance for evening pujas. Radhakrishna Temple on Urse Talegaon Road, with its Radha-Krishna focus, aligns naturally with the devotional spirit of Karva Chauth — Radha and Krishna's relationship is often invoked in the vrat katha and puja songs.

Bhavani Temple on Hinjawadi-Wakad Road and Chaurai Devi Temple Somatane near Somatne Phata are both Devi temples where women-centered ritual gatherings carry particular resonance. The Devi tradition is deeply tied to feminine strength and auspiciousness, making these spaces meaningful for Karva Chauth observation.

Sai Mandir on Pimple Gurav-Navi Sangvi Road, Harneshwar Shiv Temple in Harneshwar Colony, and Swami Samarth Mandir on Kushaba Jhangale Road each see their own community groups organize collective puja gatherings — check with local puja organizers and resident welfare associations in your neighborhood for planned programs at each site.

Insider tip: Group puja at a temple is typically organized by mohalla mahila mandals (neighborhood women's groups) rather than by the temple itself — find out which group runs the Karva Chauth gathering at your nearest temple before October 25 so you know the exact timing and whether to bring your own thali or join a shared setup.

The October Festival Calendar Around Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth does not arrive in isolation. October 2026 in Pimpri-Chinchwad is the densest festival month of the year, and Karva Chauth is its personal-devotion climax.

Navratri begins October 11, running nine nights of Durga worship, garba, and dandiya. Durga Ashtami falls on October 19, the eighth night of Navratri and the day of Kumari puja and Kanya pujan across the city. Dussehra / Vijayadashami arrives on October 20 — the victory of Rama over Ravana, celebrated with effigy burnings at public grounds and community processions across Pimpri-Chinchwad.

After Dussehra, a 10-day stretch leads to Karva Chauth on October 29. During this window, Ekadashi falls on October 22 and Pradosh Vrat on October 24 — regular lunar observances that frame the run-up to the main event. Sankashti Chaturthi also falls on October 29, the same day as Karva Chauth, making it a doubly significant day on the Hindu calendar.

Aundh Vitthal Mandir and Vitthal Mandir (both Varkari-tradition spaces) will see their own form of Dussehra and Karva Chauth observances. Ganpati Mandir on 20 Bhalekar Nagar Road and Hanuman Mandir in Aundh Gaon are two more neighborhood temples where puja gatherings for Karva Chauth evening are typically organized at the local level.

FAQ

When is Karva Chauth 2026 in Pimpri-Chinchwad? Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, October 29. The puja muhurat is 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM. Moonrise in the Pune-Pimpri-Chinchwad region is expected between 8:00 and 8:30 PM.

What is Sargi and when should it be eaten? Sargi is the pre-dawn meal eaten before beginning the Karva Chauth fast — traditionally prepared or gifted by the mother-in-law. It typically includes fruits, dry fruits, mathri, and sweets. It must be eaten before sunrise on October 29, so before approximately 6:00 AM in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Which temples in Pimpri-Chinchwad hold Karva Chauth gatherings? Many temples host community puja gatherings organized by local mahila mandals, including Radhakrishna Temple, Vittal-Rakhumai Temple, Bhavani Temple, and Chaurai Devi Temple Somatane. Check with your neighborhood women's group for the specific temple and timing nearest you.

What do I need for the Karva Chauth thali? A standard thali includes a karva (earthen pot with water), a lit diya, a chhalni (sieve), fresh flowers, incense sticks, roli, chawal, and traditional sweets. Many shops in Pimpri-Chinchwad stock ready-made Karva Chauth thali sets in the week before the festival.

Is Karva Chauth a public holiday in Maharashtra? No. Karva Chauth is not a public holiday in Maharashtra. Women observing the fast typically continue normal work schedules and gather for puja in the evening hours.

Bottom Line

Karva Chauth 2026 in Pimpri-Chinchwad is October 29, and the puja window runs 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM. With 19 temples spread across the city — from Radhakrishna Temple on Urse Talegaon Road to Swami Samarth Mandir on Kushaba Jhangale Road — there is no shortage of community spaces for the evening puja. The month before it is equally packed: Navratri from October 11, Durga Ashtami on the 19th, and Dussehra on the 20th all lead up to Karva Chauth as the personal-devotion close to the season. Confirm your neighborhood temple's gathering time at least a few days early, eat your Sargi before sunrise, and have the thali ready before the puja muhurat begins.