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In Sanatan Dharma, mothers observe many difficult fasts throughout the year for the long life, good health and bright future of their children, out of which the fast of ‘Ahoi Ashtami’ is considered the most important. This fast, observed on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, is a symbol of the unwavering love between mother and child. Mothers are already curious about when is the holy fast of Ahoi Ashtami this year i.e. 2026 and what is its exact date. According to Panchang calculations, this year the fast of Ahoi Ashtami is falling on 1 November 2026, Sunday. On this day, mothers keep fast for the whole day without water and worship Goddess Ahoi with rituals during Pradosh period.
According to the Vedic calendar, the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month will start at noon on 1 November 2026 and will end at noon on the next day i.e. 2 November. As per Udayatithi and tradition, the main fast will be observed on 1 November 2026 (Sunday) only. The auspicious time for worship on this day will be from 05:36 pm to 06:54 pm. The total duration of the puja will be about 1 hour 18 minutes, in which mothers will pray for the well-being of their family and children.
There is a special ritual of looking at the stars or the moon during the fast of Ahoi Ashtami. On this day, mothers observe fast throughout the day, remaining hungry and thirsty and break their fast only after offering Arghya to the stars in the evening. On the day of Ahoi Ashtami in the year 2026, the time of seeing the stars in the evening is around 06:00 pm. Moreover, the moon is likely to rise quite late in the night on this day i.e. around 11:40 pm. Since moonrise occurs very late, most women complete their fast in the evening by gazing at the stars and offering water to them.
According to religious beliefs, on the day of Ahoi Ashtami, a picture of Ahoi Mata is made on the wall with ocher or colors, which also has the figures of Sheh and her children. Mothers listen to the story of Ahoi Mata by offering roli, rice, milk and bhata (pua) as per the rituals. By observing this fast, all the troubles coming in the life of the children are removed and their life gets longer. Apart from this, this fast is also considered very fruitful for women who wish to have children. There is also a special ritual of worshiping a silver Ahoi (also known as ‘Yaar’) during the puja, which is then worn around the neck.
On this holy festival of Kartik month, taking bath in the holy ‘Radha Kund’ located in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh also has immense religious significance. On the midnight of Ahoi Ashtami, lakhs of devotees from all over the country and those couples who are deprived of the happiness of children, take a midnight dip in Radha Kund. It is believed that any couple who takes bath with devotion on this special night, their wishes are definitely fulfilled. Overall, this festival of Ahoi Ashtami is considered to be the biggest celebration of mothers’ sacrifice, dedication and immense love for their children.