Ahoi Ashtami 2025: Date, Puja Vidhi, and Significance for Mothers

Fasting on Ahoi Ashtami (Ahoi Ashtami 2025) blesses children with long life and a bright future. Women observing the fast on this day worship Goddess Ahoi. Ahoi Ashtami falls eight days before Diwali, on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi of Kartik month (as per North Indian calendar) or Ashwin month (as per Amavasyant calendar). In 2025, it will be observed in October 2025, a few days after Karva Chauth. This vrat is dedicated to Ahoi Mata (a form of Goddess Parvati) for the long life and prosperity of children and to remove obstacles in motherhood.

The Auspicious time for Ahoi Ashtami

• Worship is from 5:53 pm to 7:08 pm.

• Stargazing time is from 6:17 pm to 6:17 pm.

• Moonrise time on Ahoi Ashtami is 11:20 pm.

Main Observers:

Traditionally observed by mothers praying for the health, protection, and longevity of their children and for the blessing of progeny if they wish to conceive.

Importance & Spiritual Significance

1. Protection of Children:  The vrat is a heartfelt prayer to Ahoi Mata to safeguard children from accidents, illness, and negative energies.
2. Blessings for Motherhood: Childless couples also observe it with deep devotion to receive the boon of healthy progeny.
3. Karmic Cleansing:  Fasting on Ashtami is believed to burn past karmic debts and purifies the mother’s love.
4. Alignment with Cosmic Energy: Occurs during the waning Moon (Krishna Paksha) when feminine and nurturing energies are powerful.

Ahoi Ashtami Katha (Legend)

The popular legend narrates:

Long ago, a woman went to the forest to dig soil for decorating her house. Unknowingly, her spade killed the cubs of a lioness (or, in some versions, a hedgehog). The grieving mother animal cursed the woman that she too would lose her children. In time, all of the woman’s seven sons died one after another. Distraught, she confessed her sin to wise elders, who advised her to observe a fast and worship Ahoi Mata on the Ashtami of Kartik Krishna Paksha. The woman drew the image of Ahoi Mata with seven sons and Syahu (hedgehog or cub) on the wall, offered prayers and kept a strict fast. Pleased with her repentance, the Goddess forgave her and revived her sons. Since then, mothers observe Ahoi Ashtami Vrat to protect their children and to seek forgiveness for any accidental harm caused to living beings.

Vrat & Puja Vidhi (Traditional Method)

Morning

Nitya Karmas: After early bath and wearing clean clothes, take a sankalp (vow) for fasting, praying for children’s welfare.

Fast: Traditionally, a nirjala fast (without food and water) until evening. Some may take fruits or water depending on their health.

Evening Puja

• Ahoi Mata’s Drawing or Image: Draw or place a picture of Ahoi Mata on a clean wall or wooden plank. Beside it, draw or place stars (seven dots) and Syahu (hedgehog) symbols.
• Kaleva (Thread Ritual): Mothers tie a red sacred thread while praying.
• Offerings: Roli, rice, milk, water, sweets, and specially prepared soaked wheat or gram.
• Katha Recital: Family members listen to the Ahoi Mata Katha with deep devotion.
• Stars Darshan: Fast is broken after sighting the stars (or the moon if visible after stars). Water is offered to stars and the Goddess.

Dos

1. Observe with Purity: Take a ritual bath, wear clean clothes, and maintain a sattvic (pure) mind.
2. Draw Ahoi Mata & Stars: The seven stars represent the seven sons and the cosmic protectors.
3. Feed the Needy: Offer food to Brahmins or the poor after the puja for blessings.
4. Seek Forgiveness: Pray for forgiveness for any harm caused to living beings knowingly or unknowingly.
5. Family Participation: Involve children in the evening katha and puja.

Don’ts

1. Avoid Cutting or Digging: Do not use sharp tools, especially when digging the earth, as it recalls the original legend.
2. No Harsh Words: Avoid anger, arguments, or negative speech throughout the day.
3. Avoid Onion, Garlic, and Non-veg: The fast is strictly sattvic.
4. Do Not Break Fast Before Stars:  The fast should end only after seeing stars and offering arghya (water).

Benefits of Observing Ahoi Ashtami

• Children’s Protection: Ensures the safety, health, and longevity of offspring.
• Fulfillment of Parenthood Desires: Childless couples may be blessed with progeny.
• Family Prosperity: Brings peace and harmony in the household.
• Spiritual Merit: Fasting on Ashtami helps cleanse sins and strengthen the mother-child bond.
• Inner Discipline: Builds self-control and purifies body and mind.

Traditional Remedies & Uplifting Rituals: These remedies enhance the power of the vrat.

For Child’s Long Life

• After puja, offer water to stars while chanting:  “Om Hrim Shreem Ahoi Mata Namah” 11 times.

For Conception

• Childless couples can donate red cloth and fruits to a married woman and recite the katha sincerely.

For Family Peace

• Light a ghee diya under the night sky after the fast and pray for harmony.

For Removing Past Sins

• Feed stray animals and donate grains, especially wheat and black sesame, symbolizing forgiveness.

Spiritual Message

• Ahoi Ashtami teaches that true repentance and sincere devotion can erase even the gravest karma.
• It reinforces a mother’s selfless love and the universal principle of protecting all living beings.

Conclusion:

Ahoi Ashtmi 2025 is a sacred fast where mothers, and even fathers in modern times, pray to Ahoi Mata for the health and protection of their children. Through fasting, puja, katha recitation, and charity, devotees gain spiritual merit, family well-being, and divine grace, while learning compassion and responsibility toward nature and life.