Karwa Chauth 2081

Only after the moon has actually been sighted — not at a fixed clock time. Moonrise on Kartika Krishna Chaturthi differs by city, typically falling somewhere in the evening rather than at a standard hour.

The moon is seen through the sieve, and the husband is then seen through the same sieve immediately after, in the same light. Custom holds it also softens the direct gaze at the Chaturthi moon.

The traditional form is nirjala, without water. Those who are pregnant, unwell or elderly commonly keep a phalahar fast with fruit and water instead, which is accepted.