Ahoi Ashtami 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, 1 November 2026.

This festival is also called Ahoi Aathe, as the festival occurs on Ashtami (8th day). It is a festival that is mostly celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.

Timing for Delhi NCR is listed in the table below. Timing varies slightly from place to place; therefore, you should check local panchang before the puja.

Note: The fast is kept on the day when Ashtami tithi is present during the evening puja time. In 2026, that day is 1 November.

Ahoi Ashtami is a sacred fast dedicated to Ahoi Mata, the divine mother who protects children. Mothers observe a nirjala or phalahari vrat from sunrise until the stars appear in the evening. After offering prayers to Ahoi Mata and sighting the stars, they break their fast.

Traditionally, this vrat was observed by mothers for the long life and well-being of their sons. Today, it is kept with the same love for all children, sons and daughters alike.

Ahoi Mata is worshipped through a wall painting or a printed picture. It usually shows Ahoi Mata along with Syahu (the porcupine) and her cubs, which connects directly to the story told on this day.

The significance of Ahoi Ashtami revolves around the unbound love between a mother and child. The devotees believe that this vrat will:

• Grant longevity, good health and safety to their children

• Clear their way of any difficulties or obstructions in life

• Bestow the couple desiring a child with the happiness of having one

• Make their home peaceful, positive and prosperous

• Strengthen the divine relationship of mother and child

The vrat also signifies the virtue of humbleness. It is told in the katha to behave with reverence and ask for forgiveness when we make mistakes.

The Katha of Ahoi Ashtami Vrat is the essence of the entire occasion. The mothers gather and keep some rice or wheat in their hands and then hear/read the Katha with utmost devotion.

A quick narration of the tale:

In ancient times, there was a lady who had seven sons with her. She visited the forest just ahead of Diwali to dig soil to decorate her house. In the process of digging with a spade, she inadvertently inflicted pain to the lair of Syahu and his cubs were injured.

Syahu was extremely upset and put a curse on the woman, telling her that she would lose her sons as well. In no time, all her seven sons died. She was immensely grieved and poured out her sorrows to the village elders.

An elderly suggested that she repent wholeheartedly, draw the figure of Syahu along with his cubs and pray to Ahoi Bhagwati on Krishna Paksha Ashtami of Kartik month.

She followed all these with total dedication. Impressed with her prayer, Ahoi Mata blessed her and she was blessed with her sons again.

Since then, mothers observe this Ahoi Ashtami fasting every year, praying for good health and longevity of their children.

Make sure you have these things prepared one day before so that your puja is conducted in an easy manner:

• Picture or wall art of Ahoi Mata with Syahu and cubs

• Chowki (wooden platform) with red or yellow colored sheet

• Kalash made up of water and coconut

• Roli, moli (sacred thread), akshat (rice grains) and haldi

• New flowers and garland

• Diya, ghee or oil, agarbattis and camphor

• Wheat grains or rice for conducting katha

• Fruits, sweet dishes and prasad (halwa, puri and pua)

• Silver made Ahoi or Syau along with a thread for puja

• Karwa or pot containing water to offer Arghya

• Money for keeping during puja

Perform this basic Ahoi Ashtami puja vidhi at home:

1. Rise early in the morning and take a bath. Wear clean and preferably red, yellow or pink clothes.

2. Take sankalp (vow). Make a vow to Ahoi Mata to observe this fasting for the benefit of your children.

3. Arrange puja altar. Draw or arrange the image of Ahoi Mata on a clean wall, or arrange a framed image of Ahoi Mata on the chowki, either in the direction of east or north.

4. Arrangement of kalash. Fill the kalash with water, and place it near Ahoi Mata and mark it with roli and moli.

5. Arrangement of prasad for the evening offering.

6. Perform the puja in muhurat time (5:37 PM to 6:55 PM in Delhi-NCR). Light diya and agarbatti.

7. Make offerings of roli, akshat, flowers, fruits, and sweets to Ahoi Mata.

8. Listen to the katha of Ahoi Ashtami vrat while holding some grains in your hands.

9. Conduct the aarti of Ahoi Mata with full devotion.

10. Make an offering of arghya to the stars at the time of tara darshan (approximately at 6:01 PM in Delhi-NCR) with the water of karwa or kalash.

11. Take blessings from your elders and pay respect to the feet of the idol of Ahoi Mata.

12. You can break the fast by consuming prasad and drinking water.

There might be some minor differences according to different traditions in the family. The general rules to be followed are as follows:

• Observe the fast till sunrise and sunset (tara darshan)

• Refrain from consuming any food or drinks, if you are observing nirjala fast. People who are ill, expecting mothers and old can observe the phalahari fast

• Refrain from using sharp things such as knife, spade or scissors, as per tradition

• Do not dig the earth as a memory of the katha

• Maintain peace of mind and refrain from getting angry

• Pray with pure heart and full faith

Health First: Fasting is an individual’s choice. It is suggested that people should observe fasting depending on their health condition.

A majority of the households conclude their fast post tara darshan which happens at dusk. In 2026, the time of star sighting in Delhi-NCR is 6:01 PM.

A number of households opt to break the fast post moon sighting, but as the moon rises very late, around 11:40 PM, it is convenient for most mothers to end their fast at tara darshan. Do as per your family customs.

In case you do not find the stars due to lights of the city or cloud cover, then please follow the muhurat as per the clock timings provided in your local panchang.

Ahoi Ashtami is also considered very auspicious for Radha Kund Snan at Govardhan, Mathura. Couples who wish to be blessed with a child take a holy dip in Radha Kund at midnight on this night. It is also called Govardhana Radha Kunda Snan.

• Wake up early and maintain peace of mind

• Perform puja within the muhurat

• Feed a cow, give food and clothes to poor people

• Offer milk or sweet items to Ahoi mata

• Inculcate good values in your children and pass time with them

• Ask for blessings from your elders

• Do not use sharp tools or dig the soil

• Do not argue, speak harshly or hurt anyone

• Do not skip the evening puja

• Do not break the fast before tara darshan, unless you are medically advised to do so

Ahoi Ashtami is a key date in the festive run-up to Diwali. Here is how the festive days line up in 2026:

Keep an eye out for Dhanteras and Diwali right after Ahoi Ashtami. Houses are cleaned, diyas are bought and puja items are arranged during this time.

What date will Ahoi Ashtami be in 2026?

What is the Ahoi Ashtami 2026 puja muhurat?

What is the tara darshan timing of Ahoi Ashtami 2026?

To whom is worship done on Ahoi Ashtami?

Can fathers or unmarried women observe the Ahoi Ashtami vrat?