Ahoi Ashtami 2025: When & How to Celebrate This Auspicious Festival for Your Child’s Wellbeing

Wondering how to celebrate Ahoi Ashtami 2025? Explore fasting, puja rituals, and Sanatangyan traditions that bless your child with health, happiness, and longevity.

Ahoi Ashtami is a divine Hindu festival observed by mothers for the good health and long life of children. This year it will fall on Monday, October 13, 2025. Ahoi Ashtami is rooted deep in Sanatangyan traditions. Ahoi Ashtami is a fast day, worship day, and prayer day. Mothers show love and devotion by walking on a day-long fast. They pray to Goddess Ahoi and offer evening prayers under the stars. Such procedures are thought to provide protection, happiness, and prosperity to their children.

Significance of Ahoi Ashtami

Ahoi Ashtami comes right after Karwa Chauth and is very special in Sanatangyan traditions. Mothers observe this festival to pray for their children’s happiness, health, and long life. The festival celebrates the strength of motherhood and a mother’s devotion. It also brings out the sacred relationship between mother and child. Most Shastras stress the need for this bond and worship.

Ahoi Mata is considered an incarnation of Goddess Parvati in ancient scriptures. She is the merciful Mother who keeps her devotees' children safe and away from harm. In Sanatangyan philosophy, fasting with a clean heart purifies the mind. Fasting also enhances the spiritual focus and determination of a person.

A Sanskrit verse from the Manusmriti beautifully captures this essence:

“माता प्रसन्ना यत्र, तत्र देवताः स्थिराः।”

 Translation: Where the mother is pleased and peaceful, there the gods dwell permanently.

Ahoi Ashtami is not merely about fasting. It is about a mother's unconditional love. Through this love, she prays for divine blessings to her children.

Ahoi Ashtami Date and Time 2025

• Date: Monday, October 13, 2025

• Puja Muhurat: 5:53 PM – 7:08 PM

• Star Sighting Time: 6:17 PM

• Moonrise on Krishna Dashami: 11:20 PM

Govardhan and Radha Kunda Snan is also done by many devotees on this day, as these holy baths are said to bring wellbeing and spiritual growth to their children.

How to Observe the Ahoi Ashtami Fast

The Ahoi Ashtami fast starts before sunrise. Mothers wake up early and take a purifying bath. They then perform a Sankalp, which is a vow to fast for the wellbeing of their children. Some women consume milk or fruits, while others keep a nirjala vrat — refraining even from water until the evening puja.

During the evening puja, a drawing or picture of Ahoi Mata with her cubs is placed on an elevated platform. A Kalash (a pot filled with water) is placed nearby. It is covered with grass. Offerings are provided, such as eight puris, eight pua, and halwa. The figure eight is sacred and symbolic in this ceremony.

Mothers perform Arghya (water offering) to the stars as night falls with the appearance of stars in the sky. This is a representation of the divine protectors watching over their children. In some homes, the fast is broken after the moon rises at 11:20 PM. Mothers then offer prayers of gratitude and relief.

Rituals to Ensure Your Children’s Wellbeing

Apart from fasting, there are some rituals that are known to augment the blessings of Ahoi Mata. These rituals bring more protection and joy to children.

• Offer bangles, bindis, or mirrors to the Goddess as a mark of feminine energy.

• Chant mantras dedicated to Ahoi Mata or Goddess Parvati, invoking her protection.

• Do Kanya Pujan or Gau Seva, feeding young girls or cows, symbolizing purity and maternal compassion.

• Prepare a silver amulet or protective string (Syau) and affix it on your child's wrist or neck for divine protection.

As said in the Rigveda (10.85.44):

“सन्तु ते पुत्राः शतं जीवताः”

Translation: May your children live for a hundred years.

This Vedic prayer exactly says what each mother prays for on Ahoi Ashtami. It reflects her desire for her child's long life. It also reflects her desire for their good health, well-being, and prosperity.

Ahoi Ashtami 2025 is a lovely representation of love and devotion of a mother. It is rooted in Sanatangyan traditions. Observing vrat and puja is done by mothers for receiving divine blessings for their children. By keeping sacred rituals, mothers pray for the health, happiness, and longevity of their children. This festival becomes the representation of love and bonding between mother and child, both spiritually and emotionally.