Ahoi Ashtami 2025: Ahoi Ashtami, one of the most important festivals for Hindus, is being celebrated today, October 13th. The Ahoi Ashtami fast is being observed today, which will be broken at dusk after the stars appear in the sky. On this day, mothers observe a fast and pray for the health and longevity of their children. Read here for information on the fasting method, date, puja muhurat, moonrise time, and fasting duration.
Date and Time
Date: Monday, October 13, 2025
Tithi (Ashtami, Krishna Paksha, Kartik month) Start: 12:24 pm
Tithi End: October 14 at 11:09 am
Auspicious time for Ahoi Ashtami
Puja Muhurat (Evening): October 13 from approximately 5:53 pm to 7:08 pm
Time for offering Arghya to the stars/viewing the stars (to end the fast): Approximately
Moonrise: October 13 at approximately 11:20 pm
Significance of Ahoi Ashtami
Mothers observe this fast for the well-being, long life, and prosperity of their children. It is celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha of the Kartik month. Mothers observe a strict fast (often called Nirjala – without food or water) from dawn to dusk or until the stars are visible.
Rituals and Method (How to Perform)
Some common practices:
Wake up early in the morning, bathe, and wear clean clothes.
Place a picture or portrait of Ahoi Mata. Sometimes, draw small figures or dots around the picture to symbolize children.
Place items such as a water pot, flowers, roli, rice grains, turmeric, a ghee lamp, and incense on the puja plate.
Observe the fast throughout the day. Women often break the fast in the evening after viewing the stars (offering arghya). Some break the fast after moonrise.
Read/recite the Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha during the puja.
Dos and Don’ts
This fast is usually Nirjala (without food or water), so physical preparation (if health permits) is essential.
Don’t neglect rituals like offering water to the stars, as this is considered essential for the proper completion of the fast.
Have devotion, purity of heart, and good intentions; it is believed that such fasts are successful not only through external rituals, but also through sincerity and love.
Why is Ahoi Ashtami celebrated?
Ahoi Ashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of Kartik month. On this day, mothers observe a fast for the long life, happiness, prosperity, and good health of their children. This fast is especially observed by women with children, but sometimes childless women also observe it with the hope of having children.
Main Purpose
Wishing for the long life and happiness of children.
Praying for happiness and protection in the family.
Symbolizing the sacrifice, love, and blessings of motherhood.
Ahoi Mata ki Kahani
It is said that once a woman went to dig soil to paint the walls of her house. While digging, her shovel accidentally killed a baby porcupine. The porcupine’s mother, enraged, cursed the woman that she would have no children. Within a short time, all her children died one by one. Deeply saddened, the woman prayed to God. Then a divine voice said, “Observe the Ahoi Mata fast on Krishna Ashtami of the month of Kartika, and your sins will be washed away.” She observed the fast with full rituals, worshipped Ahoi Mata with a true heart, and the following year, she was blessed with a child. From then on, this fast began—and every year, mothers worship Ahoi Mata for the safety and long life of their children.
Symbols and Beliefs
A picture or figure of Ahoi Mata is painted on the wall.
Drawings of seven children are also drawn (symbolic of progeny).
The fast is concluded in the evening by offering prayers to the stars—they are believed to protect children.
In short, “Ahoi Ashtami is a festival symbolizing motherhood’s love, sacrifice, and the spirit of protecting one’s children.”