Ahoi Ashtami 2026: Know the most auspicious time of worship for the long life of your child.

The holy fast of Ahoi Ashtami, observed on the Ashtami date of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, has special significance in Sanatan Dharma. In Sanatan tradition, mothers observe this fast with full devotion to pray for the long life, good health, happiness, prosperity and security of their children. In this difficult Nirjala fast, which comes exactly four days after Karva Chauth, mothers keep fast throughout the day and worship Ahoi Mata and Sayau Mata with rituals in the evening. This fast is considered complete and completed only after seeing the stars in the sky in the evening and offering Arghya to them. If you are also preparing for Ahoi Ashtami fast, then let us know the best auspicious time for worship this year, the time to offer Arghya to the stars and the complete religious method related to the fast.

Ahoi Ashtami 2026 date and best auspicious time for puja

According to the calendar calculation, the Ashtami Tithi of Kartik Krishna Paksha in the year 2026 will start from 02:51 pm on Sunday, 1 November 2026, which will end the next day at 01:10 pm on Monday, 2 November 2026. According to the beliefs of Udayatithi and Pradosh Kaal Puja, the holy fast of Ahoi Ashtami is being observed on Sunday, 1 November 2026 only.

According to the scriptures, Ahoi Ashtami worship is always done in Pradosh Kaal (evening time). This year devotees are getting enough time for evening puja.

• Ahoi Ashtami date: Sunday, November 1, 2026

• Ashtami Tithi starts: November 1, 2026, 02:51 pm

• Ashtami Tithi ends: November 2, 2026, 01:10 pm

• Auspicious time of worship: From 05:35 PM to 06:54 PM (Total Duration: Approx 1 hour 19 minutes)

Best time to offer Arghya to stars and timing of moonrise

During the fast of Ahoi Ashtami, the main tradition is to offer Arghya by looking at the stars in the evening. Most of the women break their fast by offering Arghya to the stars, while in some areas it is also considered a rule to offer Arghya after seeing the moon.

• Star Sighting Time: Arghya can be offered around 06:00 pm (just after sunset as soon as the stars become visible in the sky).

• Moonrise Time: Between 11:05 pm to 11:40 pm (moonrise time may vary as per location).

To offer water to the stars, fill a copper or brass pot with pure water and mix some Akshat (rice), Roli and flowers in it. After this, face the east or north-east direction and offer water to the stars and pray for the long life and prosperity of your child.

Religious importance of Ahoi Mata’s worship method and fasting story

The worship process of Ahoi Ashtami is very sacred and ritualistic. After morning bath and meditation, women take a pledge of Nirjala fast with water in their hands. After cleaning the place of worship in the evening, pictures of Ahoi Mata and her seven sons are drawn on the wall with ocher (nowadays calendars or photographs available in the market are also used).

During the puja, a lamp of pure desi ghee is lit in front of Ahoi Mata. Water, Akshat, Roli, Kumkum, flowers and Kalava (Mauli) are offered to the Goddess. There is a tradition of offering sweet pua, halwa, flour khandvi or milk-rice as bhog. At the time of puja, a karva or pot is filled with water. After this, the mythological fast story of Ahoi Ashtami is heard with wheat grains or Akshat in hand. After the completion of the story, Aarti of Ahoi Mata is performed and blessings of the elders of the family are taken.

Important rules for mothers: Pay special attention to these things

On the auspicious occasion of Ahoi Ashtami, it is considered mandatory to follow some special religious rules so that the full results of the fast can be achieved:

1. Attention to Bronze and Pottery: Always use copper, brass or silver pot for offering Arghya, and use only pure water.

2. Avoid sewing and cutting: On the day of fasting, mothers should avoid using needle and thread, sewing clothes or using any sharp object.

3. Distance from Tamasic food: Maintain a completely virtuous environment in the house and do not bring bitterness or anger towards anyone.

4. Wearing Syau Mala: In many areas, mothers wear ‘Syau Mala’ consisting of silver bullets on the day of Ahoi Ashtami, to which silver beads with the name of the child are added every year.