Ahoi Ashtami 2026 Date, Star Sighting Time and Puja Muhurat
Ahoi Ashtami 2026 is on Sunday, 1 November 2026. Stars in New Delhi: about 6:00 PM IST.
Ahoi Ashtami 2026 date and Ashtami tithi
Ahoi Ashtami 2026: Sunday, 1 November 2026
Ahoi Ashtami is observed on Kartik Krishna Ashtami in the Purnimanta calendar (Ashwin Krishna Ashtami in the Amanta calendar), on the evening when Ashtami prevails as the stars come out. In 2026 Ashtami tithi begins at 2:51 PM on 1 November and ends at 1:10 PM on 2 November (New Delhi), so the vrat is kept on Sunday, 1 November.
| Item (New Delhi, 1 Nov) | Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Ahoi Ashtami puja muhurat | 5:36 PM – 6:54 PM |
| Evening (sanjh) time for sighting stars | about 6:00 PM |
| Moonrise | 11:40 PM |
| Ashtami tithi | 2:51 PM, 1 Nov – 1:10 PM, 2 Nov |
Star-sighting time follows local sunset: it is later in western cities (Mumbai roughly 6:27 PM) and earlier in the east (Kolkata roughly 5:22 PM). Check sunset and moonrise for your city on the Panchang for 1 November after changing the location.
Significance
On Ahoi Ashtami mothers fast from dawn until the stars appear for the long life and well-being of their children; once kept for sons, it is now widely observed for daughters and sons alike. Many keep it nirjala (without water). Ahoi Mata, a form of Goddess Parvati, is worshipped, and the day is linked to the story of a mother who accidentally killed a porcupine (syahu) cub while digging soil, and whose seven sons were restored through her devotion to Ahoi Mata. It is popular in North India, especially Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.
Rituals at a glance
- Draw or put up an image of Ahoi Mata with the syahu and her cubs (often eight corners, the “ashta kona”) on the wall.
- In the evening, place a kalash of water, offer roli, rice, milk, sweets and puri, and listen to the Ahoi Ashtami katha.
- When the stars appear, offer arghya to them from the kalash and break the fast; some wait for the moon, which rises late this year (11:40 PM in New Delhi).
- In Mathura, couples take the Radha Kund snan at midnight on this night.
Before and after
Ahoi Ashtami falls four days after Karwa Chauth (29 October) and about a week before Diwali (8 November). Dhanteras is on 6 November.
Related
All times are IST for New Delhi unless stated otherwise. Muhurat and star time change with your city’s sunset: check today’s Panchang for your location. Outside India the date can differ; use your local panchang. Sources: Drik Panchang (New Delhi), cross-checked with Sanatan Bodh and Swarn Siddhi 2026 festival pages.
Frequently asked questions
- Ahoi Ashtami 2026 kab hai?
- Ahoi Ashtami 2026 is on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
- What time can stars be seen on Ahoi Ashtami 2026?
- In New Delhi the evening (sanjh) time for sighting stars is about 6:00 PM IST on 1 November 2026. It is later in the west (Mumbai roughly 6:27 PM) and earlier in the east (Kolkata roughly 5:22 PM).
- What is the Ahoi Ashtami 2026 puja muhurat?
- In New Delhi the puja muhurat is 5:36 PM to 6:54 PM IST. Moonrise is late, at 11:40 PM, so most mothers break the fast after seeing the stars.