Ahoi Ashtami Puja is a sacred observance that embodies a mother’s selfless love and prayers for the well-being of her children. This significant fast, dedicated to Goddess Ahoi, is marked by heartfelt rituals and a powerful story of faith and redemption.
It is a beautiful tradition where mothers seek divine blessings to protect their children and ensure their long, healthy, and prosperous lives.
This day is known as Ahoi Ashtami. It is a heartfelt fast observed by mothers for the long life, good health, and prosperity of their sons and daughters.
Unlike many loud and colorful festivals, Ahoi Ashtami is a quiet, solemn, and deeply personal observance. It falls on the eighth day during the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik.
Ahoi Ashtami Puja 2025 Date and Timings
Ahoi Ashtami fasting is done about 8 days before Diwali on Krishna Paksha Ashtami.
For the year 2025, Ahoi Ashtami will start from 13th October on Sunday.
Here is a summary of the key timings for the observance of Ahoi Ashtami in 2025.
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ahoi Ashtami Tithi Begins | October 13, 2025 (Monday) | 12:24 PM |
| Ahoi Ashtami Tithi Ends | October 14, 2025 (Tuesday) | 11:09 AM |
| Recommended Puja Muhurat (Auspicious Time for Worship) | October 14, 2025 (Tuesday) | 5:53 PM – 7:08 PM |
| Time for Sighting Stars | October 14, 2025 (Tuesday) | 6:17 PM |
| Moonrise Time | October 14, 2025 (Tuesday) | 11:20 PM |
Important Note for Observance:
The Ahoi Ashtami fast is observed on the day when the Ashtami Tithi is present during sunset.
Since the most auspicious time for puja and the star sighting (which marks the end of the fast) fall on 14th October, the festival will be widely observed on Tuesday, 14th October, 2025.
The best time to perform Puja is during Sandhya time just after sunset. During Puja Ahoi Mata is worshipped with all rituals.
The Heart of the Festival: The Story of Ahoi Mata
The power of this fast comes from an ancient story. Once, a poor woman with seven sons was digging soil in a forest to renovate her house. By mistake, her tool hurt a young lion cub, which died. The mother lion, in her anger, cursed that the woman’s sons would die.
The woman was heartbroken and filled with remorse. She pleaded for forgiveness and a way to save her children. She then observed a strict fast and prayed to the goddess Ahoi Mata with a pure heart. Pleased with her devotion and repentance, the goddess blessed her, and her sons were brought back to life.
This story teaches us about the power of sincere prayer, the importance of compassion for all living beings, and a mother’s unwavering love.
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How to Prepare for the Ahoi Ashtami Puja Fast (Simple Steps)
The preparations for the puja are simple and can be done at home.
Sankalp
The fasting ritual begins in the morning after a bath. At this time, a woman makes a sacred vow, known as a Sankalp, to observe the fast for the well-being of her children.
As part of this vow, she pledges to abstain from all food and water and states that she will only break her fast after sighting the stars or the moon, based on her family’s tradition.
The Painting (Ahoi Maa’s Image)
Many mothers draw or paint an image of Ahoi Mata on a wall. This image often includes a sacred place called ‘Saanch,’ along with depictions of the lion cub and the seven sons. Nowadays, ready-made posters are also available.
The Puja Thali with These Ingredients
- A red thread (molada) to be offered to the goddess.
- Grains like wheat or rice.
- A bowl of water.
- Sweets (like puris and halwa) for the evening offering.
The Ahoi Ashtami Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Ritual)
The fast is observed from sunrise to the sighting of the stars in the evening. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to the evening puja:
Getting Ready for the Puja
Before sunset, it’s time to prepare for the worship. Women draw a picture of Goddess Ahoi on the wall. This picture should have eight corners because the festival is on the eighth day.
You should also draw a “Sei,” which is a spiny animal like a hedgehog, along with her babies, next to the goddess. If you can’t draw on the wall, you can use a large printed poster instead.
Many religious calendars also show an image of the goddess with her seven sons and their wives.
1. Sighting the Stars
The fast ends only after seeing the stars in the night sky. If the sky is cloudy, an elder woman in the house can confirm the approximate time for the fast to end.
2. Listening to the Story (Katha)
Before breaking the fast, it is important to listen to or read the story of Ahoi Mata. This can be done by the mother herself or narrated by an elder.
3. The Offering (Arghya)
Fill a small sieve or a bowl with water. Face the stars and offer this water to them. This ritual is a key part of concluding the fast.
4. Offering to Ahoi Mata
Now, offer the red thread, grains, and the prepared food to the image of Ahoi Mata.
5. Touching the Feet of Elders
The mother then seeks the blessings of her elders by touching their feet.
6. Breaking the Fast (Parana)
Finally, the mother breaks her fast by taking a sip of water and eating a small portion of the offered food. After this, she can have a full meal.
The Foods Offering for this Puja
The food for the offering includes 8 puris, 8 puas (sweet, fried bread), and halwa (a sweet semolina pudding). After the puja, this food, along with a small gift of money, is given to an elderly woman in the family or to a priest.
Important Things to Remember
Who Observes It?
Primarily, mothers observe this fast for the well-being of their children. Even pregnant women can observe it for the health of their unborn child.
The Essence
The most important part of the fast is not the strictness of the rules, but the love, devotion, and positive intentions behind it. It is a day for mothers to pray with a focused mind for their children’s happiness.
Ahoi Ashtami is a beautiful tradition that highlights the silent sacrifices and powerful prayers of mothers. It is a celebration of the pure bond between a mother and her child, a bond that is believed to move even the divine.
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