अहोई अष्टमी 2025: तिथि, शुभ मुहूर्त, व्रत कथा और पूजा विधि (13 अक्टूबर)

When माता अहोई का अष्टमी, अहोई अष्टमी 2025, falls on 2025-10-13, mothers across भारत observe a fast for the health and longevity of their children. The festival lands eight days before दीवाली and four days after करवा चौथ, marking the spiritual kick‑off of the Festival of Lights season.

अहोई अष्टमी का इतिहास और पौराणिक कथा

According to the ancient Vrat Katha, a moneylender (साहुकार) once had seven sons. One day his wife went to dig a pit (खदान) and, unknowingly, struck the nest of a mother सेह (regional versions mention either a porcupine or a mongoose). The babies were killed, and the blood‑stained spade filled her with remorse. The story, recited during the fast, warns against careless actions and underscores the value of compassion—especially from a mother’s heart toward all life.

Historically, the eight‑day‑old lunar phase (Krishna Paksha Ashtami) has been associated with maternal prayers. Over centuries, the observance shifted from focusing solely on sons to embracing the welfare of all children, irrespective of gender, reflecting evolving social norms while retaining the core devotional spirit.

2025 की तिथि, समय और शुभ मुहूर्त

The अष्टमी तिथि (eighth lunar day) begins at 2025-10-13T12:24 (12:24 PM) and ends at 2025-10-14T11:09 (11:09 AM) the next day. Three reputable panchangs provide slightly different windows for the main puja:

• 5:25 PM – 6:38 PM (star‑sighting at 5:47 PM)
• 5:53 PM – 7:08 PM (star‑sighting at 6:17 PM, moonrise at 11:20 PM)
• 5:17 PM – 6:31 PM (star‑sighting at 5:40 PM, moonrise at 10:52 PM)

All three slots fall within the sacred evening window when the energy (शक्ति) is considered most favorable for invoking Mata Ahoy’s blessings. Mothers traditionally break their fast only after the first stars appear (संध्या) and the moon rises, a moment that varies by location but is expected around 10:52 PM – 11:20 PM on 13 अक्टूबर 2025.

पूजा विधि और रिवाज

The day starts at dawn with a simple abstention from solid food, water, and grains. At the designated शुभ मुहूर्त, the mother lights a diya, places a kalash filled with water, and offers आहोराणी (sweets, fruits, and bangles) to an earthen pot representing Mata Ahoy. The गोवर्धन राधा कुंड स्नान is performed later in the day, symbolizing purity.

After sunset, when the first stars sparkle, the mother recites the Vrat Katha, performs aarti, and finally breaks the fast with a small laddu. In many households, the ritual is repeated for each child, reinforcing the personal bond between mother and offspring.

देशभर में régional variations

North Indian states follow the Purnimanta calendar, calling the month कार्तिक, while Gujarat, Maharashtra, and many southern states use the Amanta system, labeling it अश्विन. Despite the naming difference, the Ashtami day aligns across the country. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, families often prepare a special rice pudding (खीर) with seven grains, symbolizing the seven sons of the sahukar. In Maharashtra, a lotus‑shaped kalash is preferred, echoing local artistic traditions.

Urban middle‑class families increasingly adopt a “partial fast”—abstaining from non‑vegetarian food but allowing fruit juices—while rural devotees tend to keep the traditional dawn‑to‑dusk fast. These variations illustrate how a single festival can adapt to diverse lifestyles without losing its essence.

भविष्य के लिए महत्व और विशेषज्ञों की राय

Child‑health experts note that the collective fasting and prayer create a psychosocial environment that encourages mothers to reflect on their children's nutrition and wellbeing. "When a mother sets a dedicated time for her child's health, even symbolic rituals can translate into better diet choices later," says Dr. रवीन कुमार, a pediatrician based in New Delhi.

Religious scholars, like Pandit श्रीनिवास द्विवेदी, argue that the Ahoi Ashtami rites reinforce the ancient dharmic principle of *maata‑bhoomi*, where the mother’s prayers are believed to generate protective energy (ऊर्जा) that surrounds the child throughout the year.

With the festival falling just before Diwali, many social service NGOs launch child‑health camps and vaccination drives, leveraging the heightened focus on children’s welfare. This synergy between tradition and modern public health could become a template for future festivals.

Key Facts

• अहोई अष्टमी 2025: 13 अक्टूबर (करवा चौथ के चार दिन बाद, दीवाली से आठ दिन पहले)
• अष्टमी तिथि: 12:24 PM 13 Oct – 11:09 AM 14 Oct
• शुभ मुहूर्त (पंचांग अनुसार): 5:25 PM – 6:38 PM / 5:53 PM – 7:08 PM / 5:17 PM – 6:31 PM
• संध्या (तारा‑देखा): 5:40 PM – 6:17 PM
• चाँद देखना: 10:52 PM – 11:20 PM
• मुख्य रिवाज़: धरती की कलश, गोवर्धन राधा कुंड स्नान, व्रत कथा का पाठ