Ahoi Ashtami 2020: Date, puja timings, history, significance and importance

Ahoi Ashtami is being celebrated in India on November 8. On this day, mothers observe fast for the well-being of their children. Also known as 'Ahoi Aathe', Ahoi Ashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Kartik month.

Strict fasting is observed after seeing the early morning moon around 4 am and the fast is broken after seeing the stars at night. Women also avoid drinking water during the puja.

Ahoi Ashtami is also celebrated by women who wish to have children. They also keep fast and pray to Ahoi Mata for her blessings.

According to drikpanchang, mothers, on this day, used to keep fast from dawn to dusk for the well-being of their sons in past times. However, in modern times, the fast is observed for the well-being of sons as well as daughters.

Ahoi Ashtami festival is similar to Karwa Chauth, during which women observe a day-long fast for their husband and break it only after sighting the moon. It is more popular in North India and also marks the beginning of Diwali.

Ahoi Ashtami puja timings:

The puja muhurat begins at 5.31 pm to 6.49 pm (duration 1 hour 19 minutes)

Star sighting at 5.55 pm

Chandrodaya/moonrise timing - 11.56 pm

Ashtami tithi begins at - 7.29 am on November 8

Ashtami tithi ends at - 6.50 am on November 9

(According to drikpanchang.com)

Ahoi Ashtami is celebrated four days after Karwa Chauth and a week before Diwali. The festival is also known as 'Ahoi Aathe' as it falls on the eighth day of the month on the ashtami tithi.

Here's wishing our readers a very happy Ahoi Ashtami!