Ahoi Ashtami is a Hindu festival traditionally observed by mothers for the well-being and long life of their children, especially sons. It is mostly celebrated in North India, in the regions of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Know about Ahoi Ashtami Date, Vrat rituals, Puja vidhi and also about the significance of Radha Kund Snan observed by many on the day.
Ahoi Ashtami
When is it celebrated?
It falls on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik (October–November). It comes 8 days before Diwali and 4 days after Karva Chauth.
In 2025, Ahoi Ashtami will be observed on Monday, 13th October.
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat
Mothers observe a strict fast from sunrise to the sighting of stars in the evening. They do not eat or drink all day (nirjala vrat), praying for the health, prosperity, and long life of their children. The fast is broken after seeing the stars (not the moon like Karva Chauth), followed by prayers and a meal.
Ahoi Ashtami Puja Vidhi
Required Items
- Image or poster of Ahoi Mata
- Kalash (filled with water, covered with mango leaves and a coconut)
- Soop (winnowing basket)
- Wheat grains
- Red thread, roli, rice, and turmeric
- Flowers, incense, diya, dhoop
- Sweets (poori, halwa, kheer), and food made without onion/garlic
- Silver coins (if available)
- One needle and thread (symbolic of the lion’s claw)
Puja Vidhi
- Wake up early and take a bath.
- Clean the house and prepare the puja area
- Draw or paste an image of Ahoi Mata with seven sons and a lion/porcupine.
- Decorate the Kalash and place it with grass (called “soop” or “baar”).
- Place the soop with some grains and silver coins in it.
- Keep the kalash nearby and light a diya.
- Decorate Ahoi Mata’s picture with haldi-kumkum, and offer flowers.
- Offer kheer, puri, halwa, and other prasad items to the Goddess.
- Read or listen to the Ahoi Mata Katha.
- Give Aarti to Ahoi Mata
- After sunset, when stars appear, offer water (arghya) to the stars.
- Break your fast only after seeing the stars, not the moon.
- Share prasad with family and neighbors.
Radha Kund Snan
A lesser-known but spiritually powerful observance on Ahoi Ashtami is Radha Kund Snan or the midnight holy dip (snan) in Radha Kund, located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh.
According to Vaishnava traditions, Radha Kund appeared on the night of Kartik Krishna Ashtami, the same day as Ahoi Ashtami. It is believed that on this day, Radha Rani and her sakhis created Radha Kund and took a holy bath (snan) there.Hence, Vaishnavas and devotees of Radha-Krishna bathe in Radha Kund at midnight on Ahoi Ashtami with the deep faith that their sins will be washed away, they receive divine love of Radha-Krishna, and attain moksha.
In this context, Ahoi Ashtami is not just a family-centric vrat but also a spiritually intense night for Radha-Krishna Upasana.
Click to join Bhaktinidhi on Whatsapp 
