Confused about Karwa Chauth timing? Here's how to know the exact moon sighting time

If you’re celebrating Karwa Chauth in the US, you’ve probably already realized that the biggest question every year isn’t what to wear or how long to fast, it’s “When will the moon actually rise here?” Between time zones, daylight savings, and weather apps that seem to have their own mood swings, figuring out the right time to do your puja and break your fast can feel like solving a cosmic riddle. So, let’s clear the confusion once and for all — and make sure you catch that moon at just the right moment.

Now, Karwa Chauth this year falls on Friday, October 10, 2025, and it’s one of those festivals where timing really matters. Back in India, families often rely on the local panchang or temple announcements, but in the US, things get a little tricky. Because of time differences and the way moonrise changes with location, the moon might appear as early as 7:45 PM on the East Coast and as late as 9:15 PM on the West Coast. That means if your mom in Delhi tells you to look for the moon at 8 PM, you might still be staring at a very empty sky in New York or Los Angeles!

The easiest way to get accurate Karwa Chauth moonrise timings in the U.S. is to check a reliable site or source for panchang details, it adjusts for your city’s latitude, longitude, and time zone. Just enter your U.S. city (New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, wherever you are) and it’ll give you the puja muhurat (the ideal time to perform your evening prayer) and the moonrise time specific to your area. You can also ask your local temple or Indian community center; many share verified schedules on WhatsApp or Facebook a few days before the festival.

For example, in New York, you can expect moonrise around 8:10 PM (ET), while in Chicago it’s usually a few minutes later, about 8:25 PM (CT). On the West Coast, in Los Angeles or San Francisco, the moon shows up much later, closer to 9:05 PM (PT). If you’re in Canada or the UK, the timing again shifts slightly, but the puja muhurat typically falls between 5:45 PM and 7:15 PM local time, right before the moon appears.

So, how do you plan your evening around that? Keep it simple. Start your Karwa Chauth puja during the muhurat window, light your diya, prepare your thali, and do the rituals before moonrise. Once the moon shows up, you can look through the sieve, offer water (arghya), and finally take that first sip or bite after a long, love-filled fast.

Karwa Chauth in the US might come with its share of timezone confusion and moon-tracking apps, but that’s part of the charm! Whether you’re gazing at the sky from your New Jersey balcony or a California backyard, the emotion stays the same — love, patience, and a touch of moonlit magic. Just double-check your city’s moonrise time and you’ll be good to go. Because honestly, no one wants to miss that first glimpse of the moon after an entire day without food or water!