Ahoi Ashtami 2026 Date, Puja Muhurat & Star Sighting Time
Ahoi Ashtami 2026 is on Sunday, 1 November 2026, four days after Karwa Chauth and eight days before Diwali. In Delhi-NCR the puja muhurat is 5:37 PM to 6:55 PM, and the fast is traditionally broken after sighting the stars at about 6:01 PM.
| Date | Sunday, 1 November 2026 |
| Tithi | Kartik Krishna Ashtami (Purnimanta) |
| Puja muhurat (Delhi-NCR) | 5:37 PM to 6:55 PM (1 hour 18 minutes) |
| Time to sight stars | about 6:01 PM |
| Moonrise (for those who break the fast at moonrise) | about 11:41 PM |
| Ashtami tithi | 2:51 PM, 1 November to 1:10 PM, 2 November 2026 |
What is Ahoi Ashtami?
Ahoi Ashtami is a fast kept by mothers, mainly in North India, for the well-being and long life of their children. It is dedicated to Ahoi Mata, a form of Goddess Parvati, and falls on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the waning moon in Kartik. Many women who wish to have children also keep it.
Like Karwa Chauth, it is a day-long fast. Most women break it in the evening after seeing the stars; in some families it is broken after moonrise, which is late at night on Ashtami.
How Ahoi Ashtami is observed
- Daytime fast: many mothers fast from sunrise, often without water, until the evening.
- Ahoi Mata image: an image of Ahoi Mata with a porcupine (syahu) and her cubs is drawn on the wall or a printed calendar image is used. Seven or eight small figures representing children are often added.
- Evening puja: during the muhurat, a kalash of water, sweets such as puri, halwa or mathri, and grain are offered, and the Ahoi Ashtami vrat katha is read.
- Syahu mala: in some families a silver pendant (syahu) with small silver beads is worshipped and worn, with a bead added for each child.
- Breaking the fast: after sighting the stars, women offer arghya (water) from the kalash and then eat.
The Ahoi Ashtami story
The most commonly told katha is of a woman who, while digging soil in the forest, accidentally killed a porcupine cub. Her own sons later died one after another. On the advice of elders she worshipped Ahoi Mata on Kartik Krishna Ashtami with repentance, and her children were restored. Versions of the story vary between families and regions.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ahoi Ashtami on 1 or 2 November 2026?
It is observed on Sunday, 1 November 2026, because the Ashtami tithi is current in the evening, when the puja and star sighting take place.
Do you break the Ahoi Ashtami fast after seeing stars or the moon?
Most families break it after seeing the stars at dusk. Some wait for moonrise, which is very late on this day. Follow your family custom.
Related guides
- Karwa Chauth 2026
- Dhanteras 2026
- Diwali 2026 date and Lakshmi Puja time
- Hindu festivals in November 2026
