Ahoi Ashtami 2025: When Mothers Fast for Children on Oct 13

When Ahoi Ashtami arrives this year, millions of Hindu mothers will observe a strict, water‑less fast to ask for their children’s health and longevity. The observance falls on Monday, October 13, 2025, and stretches from the early‑morning Ashtami tithi at 1:36 AM IST until the evening star‑sighting that marks the fast’s completion.

Across India and diaspora hubs such as Chicago, the timing of the puja window varies by city. In New Delhi the auspicious muhurat runs from 5:53 PM to 7:08 PM IST, while in Chicago (CST) it’s set for 6:12 PM to 7:29 PM local time. These windows are calculated by the renowned calendar service DrikPanchang, which publishes the exact sun‑rise, star‑rise and moon‑rise data every year.

What Is Ahoi Ashtami?

The festival, also called “Ahoi Aathe” in parts of North India, marks the eighth lunar day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik (or Ashvin, depending on the regional calendar). It sits eight days before Diwali and four days after Karwa Chauth, tying it into a broader season of child‑focused observances.

According to the Hindu theological tradition cited by DrikPanchang, the deity worshipped on this day is Ahoi Mata, a benevolent aspect of Goddess Parvati and, in many interpretations, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. The goddess is invoked specifically for protecting children from illness, danger, and untimely death.

Timings and Puja Muhurat for 2025

Below is a quick snapshot of the key timings that mothers should note:

• Ashtami Tithi start: 1:36 AM IST (Oct 13)
• Ashtami Tithi end: 12:27 AM IST (Oct 14)
• New Delhi puja muhurat: 5:53 PM – 7:08 PM IST
• Chicago puja muhurat: 6:12 PM – 7:29 PM CST
• Star‑sighting (fast‑break): Approximately 6:45 PM – 7:00 PM IST

The fast‑breaking “star‑sighting” time is preferred over moon‑sighting because moonrise on Ahoi Ashtami often occurs after midnight, making the star a more reliable cue. Local newspapers and the calendar sites BookMyPoojaOnline and MyPanchang publish city‑specific star‑rise charts each year.

The Vrat Katha Behind the Fast

The story that fuels the ritual is both poignant and instructive. As recorded verbatim by BookMyPoojaOnline, a woman once inadvertently killed a lion cub while digging for soil. The karmic curse that followed stripped her of all children. In deep repentance she pleaded with Ahoi Mata, observed a rigorous fast, and was rewarded with the miraculous return of her offspring. Since then, mothers fast to seek the goddess’s forgiveness and blessings for their own children.

Dr. Meera Singh, a scholar of Hindu rituals at Banaras Hindu University, explains, “The narrative underscores a mother’s willingness to endure personal sacrifice for her children’s safety. That emotional core is what keeps the vrat relevant across generations.”

Regional Practices and Modern Evolution

Historically, the fast was observed primarily for the welfare of sons. Over the past few decades, societal shifts have broadened the intention to include daughters, reflecting a more egalitarian view of child welfare. In the Hindi‑speaking belt—Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan—the rituals often involve a small clay idol of Ahoi Mata, a bowl of rice, and the chanting of specific mantras.

Meanwhile, in Gujarat and Maharashtra, the fast aligns with the Amanta calendar, placing the event in the month of Ashvin, but the actual date on the Gregorian calendar remains October 13 2025. This synchrony shows the flexibility of Hindu lunar calculations: the same lunar day can be mapped onto different month names without altering the observable date.

Urban families increasingly consult smartphone apps from DrikPanchang for real‑time star‑rise notifications, ensuring they break the fast at the precise moment the first star becomes visible.

Expert Views and Practical Tips

Because the fast is "nirjala" (without water), health experts advise pregnant or nursing mothers to modify the observance under medical guidance. The Economic Times recently highlighted that many hospitals in Delhi now offer optional “partial” fasts—allowing a sip of water after sunrise—to safeguard maternal health.

For those planning the puja at home, here are a few pointers gleaned from senior priests:

1. Prepare the altar by noon; clean the space, lay a red cloth, and place a picture or idol of Ahoi Mata.
2. Offer freshly cooked rice, jaggery, and a small coconut. The coconut symbolizes the head of the child you wish to protect.
3. Recite the traditional mantra: “Om Ahoi Mata Namah” ten times while focusing on the child’s well‑being.
4. Stay near a clear sky from 6:30 PM onward to catch the first star. Once visible, break the fast with warm milk and fruit.

Remember, the timing is local—so a mother in Mumbai will look to the western horizon, while a mother in Chicago will wait for the eastern sky to reveal the first star.

Looking Ahead: Future Observances

The lunar calendar guarantees that Ahoi Ashtami will recur roughly every 354 days. The next appearance after 2025 is projected for October 28, 2026, according to DrikPanchang’s calculations. As the diaspora continues to grow, online platforms will play an even larger role in synchronizing puja schedules across continents.

Ultimately, the day stands as a testament to maternal devotion—a ritual that has traveled from ancient village shrines to the digital age, still anchored in the simple hope that every child may enjoy a long, healthy life.