Karva Chauth mantra: what to chant at the puja and moonrise
Karva Chauth 2026 is Thu 29 Oct (puja 5:38–6:56 pm, moonrise 8:17 pm, Delhi). The Shiva-Parvati, Ganesha and Chandra mantras, with meaning and puja steps.
The main Karva Chauth mantra is a prayer to Shiva and Parvati, ॐ उमा महेश्वराभ्याम् नमः (Om Uma Maheshwarabhyam Namah), chanted at the evening puja for a long and happy married life. At moonrise, many women offer water to the moon with a Chandra mantra before breaking the fast. In 2026, Karva Chauth is on Thursday 29 October: puja muhurat 5:38 to 6:56 pm, moonrise 8:17 pm (New Delhi).
Karva Chauth falls on the fourth day (Chaturthi) after the full moon in Kartik. Married women fast from sunrise until they see the moon, praying for their husband's well-being and for the strength of the marriage. Many unmarried women, and many husbands too, now keep the fast alongside. In 2027, Karva Chauth falls on Monday 18 October. Dates are for New Delhi; tithi timings shift slightly by city, and moonrise can differ by several minutes, so check your local moonrise.
Mantras for the Karva Chauth puja
Ganesha mantra (to begin)
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्व कार्येषु सर्वदा॥ Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada
"O Ganesha of the curved trunk and mighty form, bright as a million suns: keep every effort of mine free of obstacles, always." Every puja begins with Ganesha. Listen on Mahakatha.
Shiva Parvati mantra
ॐ उमा महेश्वराभ्याम् नमः Om Uma Maheshwaraabhyaam Namah
"I bow to Goddess Uma and Lord Shiva, and ask for their blessings." Parvati (Gauri) is the heart of the Karva Chauth puja, as the goddess of a loving, lasting marriage. This short mantra can be chanted 108 times on a mala during the puja. Listen on Mahakatha.
Uma Maheshwara Stotram (first verse)
नमः शिवाभ्यां नवयौवनाभ्यां परस्पराश्लिष्टवपुर्धराभ्याम् । नगेन्द्रकन्यावृषकेतनाभ्यां नमो नमः शङ्करपार्वतीभ्याम् ॥ Namah Shivabhyam Navayauvanabhyam Parasparashlishtavapurdharabhyam, Nagendrakanyavrishaketanabhyam Namo Namah Shankaraparvatibhyam
"I bow to Shiva and Parvati, ever young, always in each other's embrace: the daughter of the mountains and the Lord whose flag bears the bull. I bow to you again and again." A beautiful verse for a couple, traditionally chanted for harmony and love in marriage. Listen on Mahakatha.
Sarvamangala mantra
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके । शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोस्तु ते ॥ Sarva Mangala Maangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute
"You who are the goodness in all that is good, refuge of all, three-eyed Gauri: we bow to you." A prayer to Gauri that many women say as they finish the puja. Listen on Mahakatha.
Mantra at moonrise
Chandra mantra
ॐ श्राम् श्रीम् श्रौं सः चन्द्राय नमः। Om Shraam Shreem Shrom Sah Chandraaye Namah
"Salutations to the moon." The Navagraha mantra of Chandra, the moon. Many women chant it softly while offering water (arghya) to the moon, before looking at the moon and then their husband through the sieve. Listen on Mahakatha.
How the day usually goes
Customs vary a lot between regions and families. If your family has its own way, follow it.
- Sargi before dawn. The mother-in-law often gives a plate of sargi (fruit, sweets, dry fruit) to eat before sunrise. The fast begins at sunrise.
- The day. Many women keep the fast without food or water. Rest, apply mehendi, and keep the mind gentle.
- Evening puja (5:38 to 6:56 pm in New Delhi). Women gather with their decorated thalis, a karva (small pot) of water, a lamp and sweets. Begin with the Ganesha mantra, then honour Gauri, Shiva and Karva Mata. The Karva Chauth katha is read aloud, and the thalis are passed around the circle while a traditional song is sung.
- Moonrise (8:17 pm in New Delhi). Offer water to the moon with the Chandra mantra, look at the moon through a sieve, then at your husband. He offers you the first sip of water and the first bite of food.
A kind note on health: if you are pregnant, unwell, elderly or on medication, please do not fast without water. A fruit-and-water fast, kept with love, is still a full Karva Chauth. Ask your doctor if unsure.
You can also mark the day with a prayer for your family on Mahakatha Radio. Through Prayer Requests, a prayer for someone you love (a special day, a blessing for a marriage) is read aloud on air at 7:00 am or 7:00 pm India time, followed by a mantra chosen for them. See also prayers for family.
Questions people ask
Which mantra should be chanted on Karva Chauth?
The most common is ॐ उमा महेश्वराभ्याम् नमः (Om Uma Maheshwarabhyam Namah) to Shiva and Parvati, after beginning with Ganesha. At moonrise, many women chant a Chandra mantra while offering water to the moon.
Which mantras are said during the puja?
In order: a Ganesha mantra such as Vakratunda Mahakaya, then a prayer to Gauri and Shiva, the Karva Chauth katha, and the Sarvamangala mantra to close. If a priest or an elder leads the puja, follow their words.
What is the aarti of Karva Mata?
Many families sing the Karva Mata aarti, "Om Jai Karwa Maiya", after the katha. Words vary from family to family, so ask an elder or use the version your family has always sung.
What is a good line to say on Karva Chauth?
A simple one is the Sarvamangala verse, a prayer to Gauri for all that is good. In your own words, a wish for a long, healthy, peaceful life together is just as true a prayer.
Which songs are sung on Karva Chauth?
During the evening puja, women pass their thalis around the circle seven times while singing a traditional Karva Chauth song, often in Punjabi or Hindi. The song and its words differ by region and family.
Can I drink water during the Karva Chauth fast?
Traditionally the fast is without water, but there is no harm in a gentler fast. Anyone pregnant, unwell, elderly or on medication should drink water and speak to a doctor.