Ahoi Ashtami 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat, Yog and Star-Sighting Time

Ahoi Ashtami is considered one of the special festivals in Hindu tradition. On this day, mothers observe a fast and pray for their children’s long lives, good health and a successful future. Come, let’s find out when the Ahoi Ashtami fast will be observed in November, the shubh muhurat for the puja, the shubh yog forming on this day and the time when stars will appear in the sky.

When Is Ahoi Ashtami in November 2026?

The Kartik month includes several important festivals and fasts, such as Karwa Chauth, Diwali, Devutthana Ekadashi, and Chhath Puja. Ahoi Ashtami is also one of these festivals. Mothers observe the Ahoi Ashtami fast for the long lives of their children. According to the Panchang, the Ahoi Ashtami fast is observed on the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month. According to the Panchang, the Ashtami Tithi begins on 1st November, 2026, at 2:51 PM and ends on 2nd November at 1:10 PM. On Ahoi Ashtami, the Udayatithi is not considered the deciding factor for this fast, since the ritual involves worshipping after seeing the stars. That’s why mothers will observe Ahoi Ashtami on Sunday, 1st November, 2026.

Ahoi Ashtami Muhurat

On Ahoi Ashtami, worship Ahoi Mata and the stars only during the auspicious muhurat. Check the table below for the timings:-

Note: Timings may vary slightly according to different Panchangs. For the exact timing, check today’s Panchang for your city.

Ahoi Ashtami: Auspicious Yog

According to astrology and Hindu religious beliefs, the formation of auspicious yog’s on a day of Puja or fasting is considered favourable. It is believed that prayers, fasting, chanting mantras, and charity performed during these yog’s bring more positive results. On Ahoi Ashtami, Several auspicious combinations will form, such as Ravi Pushya Yog, Sarvartha Siddhi Yog, Sadhya Yog, and Shubh Yog.

• Ravi Pushya Yog and Sarvartha Siddhi Yog: These yog’s will begin on 1st November at 6:33 AM and continue until 2nd November at 4:30 AM.
• Sadhya Yog: It will remain until 2:39 PM on 1st November.
• Shubh Yog: It will begin after 2:39 PM on 1st November.

Ahoi Ashtami: Puja Vidhi

• Take a Vow to Observe the Fast: Wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and wear clean clothes. After this, light a ghee diya in the puja room, fold your hands, and take a vow to observe the fast.
• Prepare the Puja Area: Ahoi Ashtami puja is performed in the evening. That’s why, during the auspicious muhurat, draw a picture of Ahoi Mata on the wall or place one there. In some places, a silver image of Ahoi Mata is also kept during the puja. Place a Vessel (kalash) filled with water near the picture.
• Offer Puja Items: Offer Roli, Kumkum, Akshat, flowers, sweets, and Halwa-Puri to Ahoi Mata. Then light incense and a diya.
• Listen to the Vrat Katha and Perform Aarti: After offering all the puja items, listen to or read the Ahoi Ashtami fast katha. Then, at the end, perform the aarti.
• Offer Arghya to the Stars: After completing the puja, wait for the stars to appear. Once the stars are visible in the sky, offer arghya with water and then break your fast.

Why Are Stars Worshipped on Ahoi Ashtami?

Many Hindu festivals and fasts usually involve worshipping the Sun and Moon. However, on Ahoi Ashtami, it is traditional to offer arghya to the stars after seeing them. This raises a question: why are stars worshipped and offered arghya on Ahoi Ashtami? Come, let us understand the reason behind it:-

• According to religious beliefs, the shining stars in the sky are considered the forms and descendants of Ahoi Mata. That is why people offer arghya to the stars on this day.
• Another reason for offering arghya to the stars on this day is that, just as stars twinkle and shine in the sky, mothers pray for their children to live long lives and shine in life.
• Just as there are countless stars in the sky, mothers observe the Ahoi Ashtami fast and pray that their family and lineage continue to thrive and expand endlessly.

To learn more about Ahoi Ashtami puja or fasting, you can chat with an astrologer for free.

Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha

The Ahoi Ashtami vrat katha is associated with Syahu Mata. According to the mythology, there once lived a moneylender who had seven sons and seven daughters-in-law. He also had a daughter who had come to her parents’ home to celebrate Diwali. To prepare the house for Diwali, all the daughters-in-law and the daughter went to the forest to collect Sand on the Ashtami Tithi of the Kartik Krishna Paksha.

While they were digging the clay together, there was a den nearby where Syahu Mata lived with her young one. While digging, the daughter accidentally killed Syahu Mata’s baby. In anger, Syahu Mata cursed the daughter, saying that she would prevent her from having children.

The daughter begged all her sisters-in-law to take the curse on her behalf. All of them refused, but the youngest daughter-in-law agreed. After that, whenever the youngest daughter-in-law gave birth to a child, the child would die within seven days.

One day, the moneylender’s wife called a priest to their home and asked him about the reason for this. The priest advised the youngest daughter-in-law to worship and serve the black Surahi cow.

The youngest daughter-in-law began worshipping and serving the cow with full devotion. The cow was pleased with her devotion. Later, Syahu Mata took back the curse, and the youngest daughter-in-law was blessed with a child. The story teaches that mistakes made knowingly or unknowingly can be overcome through repentance, selfless service, and good deeds.