Ahoi Ashtami is a significant Hindu festival celebrated particularly by mothers for the health and long life of their children. It is observed with immense devotion, including fasting and specific rituals in honour of Goddess Ahoi Mata. Ahoi Ashtami this year in 2025 occurs today on October 13, 2025 with certain star rise and moonrise times being important for the performance of the rituals perfectly, especially in cities of Haryana.
Significance of Ahoi Ashtami
Ahoi Ashtami, also referred to as Ahoi Aathe, is celebrated on the eighth lunar day (Ashtami Tithi) of Krishna Paksha (decreasing moon phase) during the month of Kartik. The celebration revolves around mothers’ love as mothers observe fast from sunrise until they see stars (Tara) at sunset. Legend has it that Goddess Ahoi granted King Chandrabhan and his queen children when they performed the Ahoi Ashtami vrat for the long life of their deceased children. This vrat represents prayers for the health, prosperity, and well-being of children.
Rituals Connected With Ahoi Ashtami
- Early morning wake-up for mothers, holy bath, and house and puja room cleaning.
- A poster or a picture of Ahoi Mata, usually with a lion cub by her side, is placed.
- A clay vessel named ‘Ahoi Kalash’ containing water is kept in front of the picture.
- Poori, halwa, sweets, etc., are specially prepared for bhog.
- Women perform arghya by offering water to diyas and reciting the vrat katha (story) of Ahoi Mata.
- At dusk, when there are stars (Tara), water is offered as Arghya to them.
- The fast is broken only after star sight, marking the conclusion of the vrat.
Star Rise and Moonrise Times in Gurugram
Tara (star) rise time is most important for breaking the fast and conducting evening rituals on Ahoi Ashtami. In Gurugram the approximate star rise (Tara Udai) time is 6:20 PM
Star Rise and Moonrise Times in Faridabad:
Tara (star) rise time is most important for breaking the fast and conducting evening rituals on Ahoi Ashtami. In Gurugram the approximate star rise (Tara Udai) time is 6:20 PM
Star Rise and Moonrise Times in Panipat:
Tara (star) rise time is most important for breaking the fast and conducting evening rituals on Ahoi Ashtami. In Panipat the approximate star rise (Tara Udai) time is 6:22 PM
Star Rise and Moonrise Times in Karnal:
Tara (star) rise time is most important for breaking the fast and conducting evening rituals on Ahoi Ashtami. In Karnal the approximate star rise (Tara Udai) time is 6:22 PM.
Star Rise and Moonrise Times in Ambala:
Tara (star) rise time is most important for breaking the fast and conducting evening rituals on Ahoi Ashtami. In Ambala the approximate star rise (Tara Udai) time is 6:20 PM
The moonrise later at night is approximately 11:09 PM, so fasting women break their fast after the sighting of the star instead of the moonrise. The auspicious puja muhurat for Ahoi Ashtami is between 5:53 PM and 7:08 PM IST.
Shubh Muhurat and Other Details
- The vrat starts at 12:24 PM on October 13 and ends at 11:09 AM on October 14, 2025.
- Puja and rituals are ideally done at the shubh muhurat of 5:53 PM to 7:08 PM.
- Lighting diyas, recitation of mantras, and naivedyam (offering food) maximize the spiritual gains.
- Women offer prayers for the long life, health, and prosperity of their children via this vrat.
In summary, Ahoi Ashtami is a very religious and culturally significant festival for mothers, commemorated with fasting, prayer, and rituals. It is important to observe the right time of star rise in Haryana cities such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat, Karnal, and Ambala in order to duly conclude the fast and conduct evening prayers for the welfare of children.
