Mothers fast from dawn until the stars appear for the long life and wellbeing of their children

Ahoi Ashtami is kept on the Ashtami of the dark fortnight of Kartika (Purnimanta), eight days before Diwali and four days after Karwa Chauth. Mothers fast from sunrise until the first stars appear in the evening, praying to Ahoi Mata, a form of Goddess Parvati, for the long life, health and prosperity of their children. Traditionally the vrat was kept for sons, but today it is kept for all children, and couples hoping for a child also observe it. The vrat katha tells of a woman who, while digging soil in the forest for her house before Diwali, accidentally killed a cub of a porcupine (syahu); cursed, she lost her seven sons one by one, and regained them only after fasting and worshipping Ahoi Mata with sincere repentance. On the wall, women draw Ahoi Mata with eight corners (ashta koshthak) along with the syahu and her cubs. In the evening the family worships the image, offers a pot of water (karwa, often the same one used on Karwa Chauth), and after sighting the stars offers arghya and breaks the fast. In Mathura, couples take a holy dip in Radha Kund at midnight on this night.

Traditionally nirjala from sunrise to star rise; those unable may take water or fruit.