Women observing the Ahoy Ashtami fast in 2026 await the appearance of the stars in the evening. After a full day of fasting dedicated to wishing longevity and well-being for their descendants, they offer an offering (Arghya) to the stars and then conclude the fast. However, if the sky is covered with clouds or the stars are obscured by air pollution, the question arises regarding the proper way to conclude the fast without observing the stars.
Offering Arghya to the stars is one of the main traditions of Ahoy Ashtami. But in case of bad weather, the sky is often not clear. In such a situation, it is recommended to first find out the established time of starrise in your city. If even at this time the stars remain hidden by clouds, you can follow the tradition by remembering the stars and making the offering at the designated time. To do this, you should fill your palm with water, add a little milk, invoke Ahoy Mata, praying for the happiness of the descendants, and make the offering of water while facing the sky. After this, the fast can be concluded according to family customs. Nevertheless, there are different opinions in various families regarding this situation.
Sometimes, due to bad weather in one city, the stars may not be visible, while the sky in another city is clear. In such cases, some families choose the option of viewing the stars via video call from another location. This is considered a common alternative practice, although classically it is not considered a mandatory rule for everyone. Therefore, it is best to follow your family's traditions.
On the day of Ahoy Ashtami, preparations should be made for the evening worship. For conducting the ritual, you can use a photograph of Ahoy Mata or draw her image on the wall and perform the worship according to all rituals. Then, you need to light a lamp and bring fruits, sweets, and other items for worship. During the time of star observation, you can take water in your palm, add a little milk, and make the offering while looking at the stars. You must wish longevity, good health, and a happy life for the descendants. After the worship, you should perform Aarti to Ahoy Mata and receive blessings from the elders of the family.
This year, the Ahoy Ashtami fast will be observed on November 1, 2026, on Sunday. According to the Panchang, the Ashtami Tithi will begin on November 1 at 14:51 and last until November 1 at 13:10. The auspicious time for worship: from 17:36 to 18:54. Star observation time: around 18:00. Moonrise time: around 23:40. These timeframes are specified for New Delhi. Since sunset and starrise times can vary in different cities, you must check the schedule according to the Panchang of your city.
Usually, the Ahoy Ashtami fast is concluded after the star offering. However, some families have the tradition of offering Arghya to the Moon. Women whose homes follow the custom of concluding the fast after observing the Moon may follow this tradition. Before making the offering to the Moon, it is necessary to find out the moonrise time in your city. It is important to remember that the rules and traditions associated with the Ahoy Ashtami fast may differ in different regions, so for concluding the fast, priority should be given to your family's beliefs.