Key takeaways
- Canada: Wednesday, October 28, 2026; India: Thursday, October 29
- Toronto: fast 7:48 AM to 7:45 PM, puja 6:14 PM to 7:35 PM, moonrise 7:45 PM
- Vancouver: fast 7:54 AM to 7:18 PM, puja 5:57 PM to 7:21 PM, moonrise 7:18 PM
- Married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for their husbands' long life
- Gift ideas: gold jewellery or gold savings; compare making charges
When is Karva Chauth 2026 in Canada?
Karva Chauth falls on Chaturthi, the fourth day of the dark half of Kartika (in the Purnimanta calendar used in North India). The fast is kept on the day when Chaturthi is present at moonrise. In 2026 that gives a different date in Canada and India:
| City | Date | Fasting time | Puja muhurat | Moonrise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Wed, Oct 28 | 7:48 AM to 7:45 PM | 6:14 PM to 7:35 PM | 7:45 PM |
| Vancouver | Wed, Oct 28 | 7:54 AM to 7:18 PM | 5:57 PM to 7:21 PM | 7:18 PM |
| New Delhi | Thu, Oct 29 | 6:31 AM to 8:17 PM (IST) | 5:38 PM to 6:56 PM | 8:17 PM |
In Toronto, Chaturthi runs from 3:36 PM on October 28 to 12:39 PM on October 29. Times are from Drik Panchang with each city set. Moonrise is calculated; if clouds hide the moon, many women break the fast at the listed moonrise time, or follow family custom.
Ontario is still on daylight time on October 28, 2026 (clocks change on November 1). B.C. now stays on UTC-7 all year.
What is Karva Chauth?
Karva Chauth is a one-day fast kept by married Hindu women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. According to Drik Panchang, the fast is strict: no food or water from sunrise until the moon is sighted at night. Women worship Lord Shiva and his family, including Lord Ganesha, and Chauth Mata. In the evening they hear the Karva Chauth Vrat Katha, offer water to the moon, and then break the fast.
The name comes from "karva" (or karak), the earthen pot used to offer water to the moon, and "chauth", the fourth day. The day is also called Karak Chaturthi. Drik Panchang notes it is more popular in North Indian states than in the South, and in Canada it is kept mostly by families from North India. In Andhra Pradesh, a similar fast called Atla Tadde is kept.
How is Karva Chauth kept in Canada?
In 2026 Karva Chauth is on a Wednesday, so most women keep the fast on a work day. A few practical tips:
- Plan the evening puja. In Toronto the puja window starts at 6:14 PM, and in Vancouver at 5:57 PM. Some mandirs and community groups hold a group puja and katha. Check your local temple.
- Know your moonrise. Moonrise changes by city. Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Montreal will each have different times. Set your city on Drik Panchang.
- Health first. If you are pregnant, nursing, diabetic or on medication, talk to your doctor before a water fast. Many families accept a modified fast.
- Mehndi and shopping. Many South Asian stores sell karva pots, puja thalis and outfits in the days before.
What are good Karva Chauth gifts for a wife?
Husbands often give a gift when the fast ends. Clothes, bangles and jewellery are traditional. Gold is a popular choice because it lasts and keeps its value better than most gifts.
| Gift | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 22K jewellery (earrings, chain, bangle) | Wearing; traditional designs | Making charges can add a lot; ask for them separately |
| 18K or 14K jewellery | Everyday wear; harder, scratches less | Less gold per gram, so lower resale value |
| 24K gold coin | Savings; simple to resell | Not for wearing |
| Gold savings plan | Building up gold over the year | Fees and storage; read the terms |
Jewellery is about the design and the moment. Coins and savings are about value. Many couples mix both: a small piece to wear on the day, and gold saved for the future. Our guide on jewellery vs investment gold explains the trade-offs.
How do you buy gold jewellery smart?
22K or 24K?
24K gold is 99.9% pure. It is soft, so it is used mostly for coins and bars. 22K gold is 91.6% pure (often stamped 916). It is a little harder, so most South Asian jewellery is 22K. 18K is 75% gold and 14K is 58.5%. For the same weight, a higher karat has more gold in it, so it costs more. Use our gold price by karat page to compare.
Making charges
Jewellery costs more than the gold inside it. Stores add a making charge (also called a labour or design charge). Some charge a percentage of the gold value. Others charge a set amount per gram. Ask for the gold weight, the karat and the making charge as separate lines on the bill. Then you can compare stores. Our jewellery markup calculator shows how much you pay above the gold value.
Buy-back and exchange
Ask the store, before you pay, what it pays if you sell or exchange the piece later. Many stores deduct the making charge, and some deduct more. Get the policy in writing on the receipt. Coins and bars usually lose less on resale than detailed jewellery.
Check the stamp
In Canada, a quality mark (like 22K or 916) is not required. But if a store puts one on, it must be truthful and come with a Canadian trademark, under the Precious Metals Marking Act (as of October 2026). Keep your receipt with the karat, weight and store name.
To see what a piece is really worth, put its weight and karat into our gold value calculator and compare with the live gold price in Canada. Gold prices can go down as well as up. Past prices don't predict future prices.