Ahoi Ashtami 2026 falls on Sunday, 1 November. Mothers keep a nirjala fast from sunrise for the long life and wellbeing of their children, and break it in the evening after sighting the stars (some families wait for the Moon). This year the day also carries Ravi Pushya Yoga, one of the most auspicious combinations of the year. In Delhi the stars can be sighted at about 6:00 PM.
Star and moonrise times below were calculated by NavAstro's own astronomy engine for each city, using the same conventions as Drik Panchang (Delhi moonrise 11:40 PM). Times are in IST.
Ahoi Ashtami 2026 at a glance
| Time (New Delhi) | |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, 1 November 2026 |
| Ashtami tithi | 1 Nov, 2:54 PM → 2 Nov, 1:12 PM |
| Puja muhurat | about 5:36 PM – 6:54 PM |
| Star sighting (tare) | about 6:00 PM |
| Moonrise | 11:40 PM |
| Ravi Pushya Yoga | sunrise (6:33 AM) → about 4:30 AM on 2 Nov |
The Ashtami of the dark half of Kartik (Purnimanta calendar) begins in the afternoon of 1 November and covers the evening, when the puja is done, so the fast is on 1 November. It falls eight days before Diwali and four days after Karwa Chauth.
Ravi Pushya Yoga on Ahoi Ashtami
When Pushya nakshatra falls on a Sunday, it forms Ravi Pushya Yoga. Pushya is considered the most nourishing of the 27 nakshatras, ruled by Saturn with Jupiter (Brihaspati) as its deity, and the yoga is traditionally favoured for buying gold, starting studies and beginning anything meant to grow. Falling on a fast for children's wellbeing, many families see it as an especially blessed Ahoi Ashtami. Panchangs give it from sunrise on 1 November until about 4:30 AM on 2 November. The panchang yoga of the day is Sadhya, changing to Shubha in the afternoon.
Star and moonrise time in your city
| City | Stars visible | Moonrise | City | Stars visible | Moonrise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 6:00 PM | 11:40 PM | Agra | 5:58 PM | 11:40 PM | |
| Noida | 5:59 PM | 11:40 PM | Patna | 5:32 PM | 11:13 PM | |
| Gurugram | 6:01 PM | 11:42 PM | Kolkata | 5:22 PM | 11:05 PM | |
| Faridabad | 6:00 PM | 11:40 PM | Bhopal | 6:05 PM | 11:49 PM | |
| Ghaziabad | 5:59 PM | 11:39 PM | Indore | 6:12 PM | 11:57 PM | |
| Chandigarh | 5:59 PM | 11:38 PM | Ahmedabad | 6:24 PM | 12:10 AM* | |
| Amritsar | 6:06 PM | 11:44 PM | Mumbai | 6:27 PM | 12:15 AM* | |
| Ludhiana | 6:03 PM | 11:42 PM | Pune | 6:24 PM | 12:12 AM* | |
| Dehradun | 5:55 PM | 11:34 PM | Hyderabad | 6:06 PM | 11:55 PM | |
| Jaipur | 6:08 PM | 11:50 PM | Bengaluru | 6:14 PM | 12:06 AM* | |
| Lucknow | 5:47 PM | 11:28 PM | Chennai | 6:04 PM | 11:54 PM | |
| Kanpur | 5:50 PM | 11:31 PM | Varanasi | 5:40 PM | 11:23 PM |
* Just after midnight, in the early hours of 2 November.
"Stars visible" is the end of civil twilight, when the Sun is 6° below the horizon and the first bright stars appear. On a hazy evening it can take a few minutes longer.
How the puja is done
- Morning: a sankalp (vow) after bathing; the fast is usually nirjala.
- Before the puja: an image of Ahoi Mata, with the porcupine (syahu) and her seven children, is drawn on the wall or a picture is placed; a karwa of water is kept beside it, often the same karwa used on Karwa Chauth.
- Puja muhurat: Ahoi Mata is worshipped with roli, rice, milk and sweets, and the Ahoi Ashtami katha is read. Many mothers wear a syahu mala (a silver pendant thread) and add a bead for each child.
- Star sighting: arghya is offered to the stars with water from the karwa, and the fast is broken. Families who wait for the Moon break it after moonrise.
In Braj, couples hoping for a child take a holy dip at Radha Kund near Govardhan at midnight on Ahoi Ashtami, a tradition that draws large crowds every year.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ahoi Ashtami in 2026? Sunday, 1 November 2026.
What time will the stars appear on Ahoi Ashtami 2026? About 6:00 PM in Delhi; see the table for your city.
Is there a special yoga on Ahoi Ashtami 2026? Yes. Pushya nakshatra on a Sunday forms Ravi Pushya Yoga, from sunrise until about 4:30 AM on 2 November.
Can the fast be broken after seeing the Moon instead of the stars? Yes, some families wait for the Moon. It rises late (11:40 PM in Delhi), so most break the fast after sighting the stars.
Read more: Karwa Chauth 2026 moonrise time · Planetary Transits in November 2026 · हिंदी में पढ़ें: अहोई अष्टमी 2026
Times are calculated for the city centre; a few minutes' difference is normal. Follow your family's tradition for the puja. This article is for general information.