Spirituality

Ahoi Ashtami 2025: Ahoi Ashtami Today — Know Its Significance and Auspicious Timing; Perform the Puja as Advised by the Astrologer

The Ahoi Ashtami fast will be observed on October 13, 2025. On this day, mothers keep a sacred fast for the long life and well-being of their children and worship Ahoi Mata in the evening under the starlit sky.

The auspicious time (shubh muhurat) for the puja is from 5:51 PM to 7:06 PM. Women observe a nirjala fast (without water) throughout the day and break their fast after offering water to the stars.

This festival symbolizes maternal love and family unity, celebrating the deep bond between a mother and her children.

The Ahoi Ashtami fast, observed on the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik, will be celebrated this year on October 13 with deep faith and devotion.

On this sacred day, mothers observe a fast for the long life, happiness, and prosperity of their children, and in the evening, they worship Goddess Ahoi Mata under the starlit sky.

The auspicious time (shubh muhurat) for the puja on Monday will be from 5:51 PM to 7:06 PM, lasting for a duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes.

The Ahoi Ashtami fast begins today, Monday, as the Ashtami Tithi starts at 12:24 PM on October 13.

According to astrologer Pandit Chandresh Kaushik, the Ashtami Tithi will commence at 12:24 PM on Monday, October 13, and conclude at 11:09 AM on Tuesday, October 14. Since the rituals are traditionally performed at night, observing the fast on Monday is considered most auspicious.

The Ahoi Ashtami Vrat holds special spiritual significance. On this day, women observe a nirjala (waterless) or fruit-only fast, praying for the well-being and prosperity of their children.

In the evening, once the stars appear in the sky, devotees offer water (arghya) to them and break their fast. The stars will be visible from around 6:15 PM. Some women choose to end their fast after sighting the moon, but this can be challenging, as moonrise occurs late on Ahoi Ashtami — around 11:21 PM this year.

Ahoi Ashtami Puja Vidhi (Worship Method)

On Ahoi Ashtami, women traditionally draw the image of Goddess Ahoi Mata on the wall using red ochre (geru). The depiction includes Mata Ahoi, a porcupine (seh/sahi), and her seven sons, symbolizing prosperity and motherhood.

During the puja, lamps (diyas), flowers, fruits, sweets, and other offerings are placed before the deity. Women pray sincerely for the long life, good health, and well-being of their children. The worship concludes in the evening after the appearance of stars, when women perform the final rituals and break their fast.

It is believed that observing the Ahoi Ashtami Vrat with faith and devotion fulfills all desires and brings happiness, prosperity, and good fortune into the home.

The festival, also known as Ahoi Aathe, is celebrated four days after Karva Chauth and eight days before Diwali. According to tradition, this sacred fast symbolizes maternal love, sacrifice, and devotion, reinforcing the family unity and cultural values of Sanatan Dharma.