2038
Thursday, 21 October 2038
In 2038 the tithi runs from 1:29 am on 21 Oct to 2:05 am on 22 Oct; it is running at pradosh, the twilight just after sunset on Thursday, 21 October 2038, so that is the day of Ahoi Ashtami.
2039
Wednesday, 9 November 2039
In 2039 the tithi runs from 8:27 pm on 8 Nov to 9:54 pm on 9 Nov; it is running at pradosh, the twilight just after sunset on Wednesday, 9 November 2039, so that is the day of Ahoi Ashtami.
How the date is fixed
Ahoi Ashtami falls on the eighth day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashwina (Krishna Ashtami). The date is the day on which that tithi is running at pradosh, the twilight just after sunset. In the North Indian (purnimanta) calendar the same fortnight is counted in Kartika.
About
Ahoi Ashtami falls on the eighth tithi of the dark half of Kartika as North India counts it (purnimanta), which is Ashwina Krishna Ashtami in amanta reckoning, in October or November. Karwa Chauth comes four tithis earlier and the Diwali new moon seven tithis later, so the gap in calendar days changes from year to year. The fast is broken in the evening at the first sighting of stars, so the day whose dusk carries Ashtami is chosen. An image of Ahoi Mata is drawn or hung on the wall and the story told before the stars appear. It is kept in the same belt as Karwa Chauth and often by the same households.
How it is observed
A day-long fast by mothers, the Ahoi story at dusk, and water offered to the stars before eating.