Mon Oct 13 12:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the information about Ahoi Ashtami:
**News Article:**
**Mothers to Observe Ahoi Ashtami Fast for Children’s Well-being on October 13th**
**Agra, India** – On October 13th, mothers across the country will observe the Ahoi Ashtami fast with devotion, praying for the long life, prosperity, and well-being of their children. The fast, observed on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase) of the Kartik month, is a significant festival symbolizing maternal love and familial unity.
The auspicious time for Ahoi Mata’s puja (worship) is scheduled from 5:51 PM to 7:06 PM, lasting for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Women will traditionally observe a “nirjala” fast, refraining from food and water throughout the day, or consume only fruits. The fast is broken in the evening after offering prayers to the stars. Some women also wait for the moon to appear.
Pandit Chandresh Kaushik said that the Ashtami Tithi begins at 12:24 PM on Monday, October 13th, and will end at 11:09 AM on October 14th. It is auspicious to celebrate it on Monday because of the recognition of night worship.
The tradition involves drawing a picture of Ahoi Mata on a wall with ocher (geru), depicting the goddess along with a Sehi (porcupine) and its seven children. During the puja, offerings of lamps, flowers, fruits, sweets, and other materials are made to the deity. It is believed that observing the fast with faith fulfills all wishes and brings happiness, prosperity, and good fortune to the household.
Ahoi Ashtami, also known as Ahoi Aathe, falls four days after Karwa Chauth and eight days before Diwali. The festival embodies the values of maternal love, sacrifice, and faith, strengthening the bonds of family within Sanatan culture.
First Piper 