Ahoi Ashtami 2025: Many types of festivals are celebrated in Hinduism. One of these is Ahoi Ashtami. This festival is primarily celebrated in North India, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and parts of South India. This festival “Ahoi Ashtami 2025” is primarily dedicated to mothers for their children. Yes, on this day, mothers perform puja and fasting to pray for and protect children. In 2025, according to the Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated on the Ashtami date of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of Kartik month.
On this day, fasting rituals are performed in the name of Ahoi Mata, the protector of children. In 2025, this festival “Ahoi Ashtami 2025” will be celebrated on October 13, 2025. However, in some parts, this festival may also be celebrated on October 14, 2025, as this year’s Ashtami date spans two days.
Ahoi Ashtami 2025
As we mentioned, this fast is observed by the Mother Goddess. On this day, mothers pray to Ahoi Mata for the safety of their children, hoping that she may keep them healthy and grant them long lives. This fast requires various materials, which are used during the puja. To break the fast, the Goddess is required to see the stars, after which the fast is considered broken and successful. There is a very touching story behind this, which we will share in this article. We will also explain how to observe this fast and rituals to maximize its benefits.
Ahoi Ashtami Puja Date, Time & Auspicious Time
As mentioned, Ahoi Ashtami 2025 will be celebrated on both October 13th and 14th in 2025. Since this year, Ashtami Tithi will begin at 12:24 pm on October 13th and end at 11:09 am on October 14th, those observing the Udaya Tithi will celebrate it on October 14th. Regarding the specific time for worship, the auspicious time is from 5:53 pm to 7:08 pm on October 13th. According to the Drik Panchang, the auspicious time is from 6:14 pm to 7:31 am. During this time, mothers can perform puja and break their fast by looking at the star.
Star (Tara) Darshan and Breaking the Fast
The Ahoi Ashtami fast concludes with the sighting of the star. The auspicious time for seeing the star on October 13th, 2025, is 6:28 pm. Women who are observing the fast on October 14, 2025, can break their fast between 6:30 pm and 12:00 midnight after the star sighting and moon sighting.
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Ahoi Ashtami Story
There is a popular legend surrounding Ahoi Ashtami 2025. It is said that once upon a time, a woman lived in a village. She had seven sons. One day, she went to the forest to collect soil from the field. While digging, her hoe accidentally struck a baby porcupine, injuring it and dying in agony. The baby porcupine’s mother, seeing this, became very emotional and cursed the woman, saying that just as she had killed her child, her sons would also die.
The woman had seven sons, and it is said that all seven of her sons died one by one. The woman was deeply distressed. She repented of her sin and invoked the Goddess. The Goddess appeared and instructed her on the rituals of worshipping and fasting for Ahoi Mata. The woman devoutly observed the Ahoi Mata fast and broke it after seeing the stars. Upon breaking the fast, all her sons were restored to life.
Significance of the Ahoi Ashtami Worship
The Ahoi Ashtami fast and worship are performed with the wish for the long life of their children. Couples who have been childless for a long time can also observe this fast and attain the joy of having children. This fast symbolizes the spirit of motherhood and its austerity, as the mother observes a very difficult fast on this day. It is customary to break the fast after seeing the stars on this day. Just as the Sapta Rishi constellation is eternal in the sky, mothers pray for the eternal well-being of their children. Ahoi itself means “Ahoy” (Ahoy), meaning “remover of sorrow.” Thus, by observing this fast, mothers remove all the sorrows, pains, and hardships from their children’s lives.
Ahoi Ashtami Worship Method
- On Ahoi Ashtami, the Goddess is required to observe a fast and perform rituals.
- On this day, the Goddess is required to wake up at Brahmamuhurta and bathe.
- Following this, it is essential to clean the house and purify the place of worship.
- After that, try to sprinkle Ganga water in the place of worship.
- After this, hang a clean red or yellow cloth on the north wall for the worship of Ahoi Mata.
- Now, draw a picture of Ahoi Mata on this cloth using turmeric or ochre.
- Along with the picture of Ahoi Mata, pictures of seven sons and a rat are also drawn on the cloth.
- However, ready-made pictures of Ahoi Mata are available in the market these days.
- Colored pictures are also available on the internet, and mothers can print them if they wish.
- After this, take water, rice grains and rice in front of the picture and take a pledge, “I am observing the fast of Ahoi Mata for the protection, long life and happiness and prosperity of my children. May Mother bless me and make my fast successful.”
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Rules for the Ahoi Ashtami Fast
- On Ahoi Ashtami, mothers fast for the entire day without food.
- On this day, try to consume only fruits or milk.
- Remember Ahoi Mata throughout the day and keep positive thoughts in mind.
- In the evening, prepare special materials for the puja, as the Pradosh Kaal puja is important on this day.
- In the evening, place a pot filled with water, incense, rice, roli, turmeric, rice grains, flowers, sugar candy, milk, betel nuts, seven types of sweets, and Sarai grass, etc., in front of Ahoi Mata.
- Place the pot in front of Ahoi Mata and pour sesame seeds into it eight times and pray to her for the long life of your children.
- After this, light a lamp in front of the goddess’s picture. Place a coconut on top of the pot filled with water and cover it with a red cloth.
- Then, offer rice, flowers, roli, turmeric, water, milk, and other offerings to the goddess.
- Then, offer water seven times to symbolize the seven sons.
- Afterward, read the story above or listen to it on YouTube. Afterward, perform the Aarti of Ahoi Mata and distribute the Prasad to everyone.
- After this, break the fast by looking at the star. Women can break the fast after seeing the star, or they can break the fast the next morning after bathing and eating.
What not to do on Ahoi Ashtami?
- Do not use abusive language to anyone on Ahoi Ashtami. Avoid consuming meat, alcohol, onions, garlic, etc. at home.
- Have all the puja materials ready before evening.
- Recite the name of Ahoi Mata repeatedly and prepare Ahoi Mata’s picture and the puja in advance.
- After the fast ends, donate as much as possible.
Conclusion
Thus, every mother who wishes to ensure long life, happiness, and prosperity for her children observes the Ahoi Ashtami fast. This fast is observed with great devotion. Although less popular in South and West India, over time, it is now celebrated with great enthusiasm everywhere, and mothers observe it to pray for the well-being of their children.
This fast holds as much spiritual and astrological significance as it does religious significance. If possible, observe the Ahoi Mata fast for the long life and health of your children and receive the blessings of Ahoi Mata, the giver of good fortune.