Ashokashtami

festivals

Quick Overview

Date in 2029: Friday, March 23, 2029
Tithi: Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (Purnimanta)
Tithi begins / ends: 12:44 AM, Mar 23 to 01:11 AM, Mar 24
Lunar month: Chaitra · Shukla Paksha
Also on this tithi: Bhavani Jayanti

Select Calendar Year

2029 Festival Date & Muhurta

Ashokashtami

Friday, March 23, 2029

Lunar Month: Chaitra

Tithi / Muhurta Timings

Tithi Begins:12:44 AM, Mar 23

Tithi Ends:01:11 AM, Mar 24

Ashokashtami at a Glance

Ashokashtami is fixed by the lunar calendar to Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, the 8th tithi of the waxing (Shukla) fortnight of Chaitra.

Tithi rule: Chaitra Shukla Ashtami (Purnimanta)Shukla Ashtami Chaitra month
Tithi swami and group: Shiva · Jaya Tithi
Also on this tithi: Bhavani Jayanti

Chaitra Shukla Ashtami in Coming Years

Year	Tithi begins	Tithi ends
2030	07:41 PM, Wed, Apr 10	09:02 PM, Thu, Apr 11
2031	04:45 PM, Sun, Mar 30	07:18 PM, Mon, Mar 31
2032	07:49 AM, Sat, Apr 17	10:04 AM, Sun, Apr 18
2033	08:30 AM, Wed, Apr 6	09:09 AM, Thu, Apr 7
2034	07:31 PM, Sun, Mar 26	06:15 PM, Mon, Mar 27

Panchanga on This Day

Ashokashtami · Mar 23, 2029

VaaraShukravara

TithiShukla Ashtami12:44 AM → 01:11 AM

NakshatraMrigashira07:43 AM → 09:14 AM

YogaSaubhagya

KaranVishti

Lunar MonthChaitra

Brahma Muhurta04:47 AM → 05:34 AM

Abhijit Muhurta12:03 PM → 12:52 PM

Nishita Muhurta12:03 AM → 12:50 AM

Rahu Kaal10:56 AM → 12:27 PM

New Delhi, IndiaFull Dainik Panchang →

About Ashokashtami

Ashokashtami is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Ashtami of the Chaitra month and holds profound significance across several regions of India, particularly in Kashmir, Bengal, Odisha, and parts of North India. The festival derives its name from the Ashoka tree (Saraca asoca), whose fresh, bright-orange blossoms symbolize renewal, hope, and the arrival of spring. This day is closely associated with Lord Rama and is believed to mark his departure from Ayodhya to begin his victorious campaign against the demon king Ravana.

In the Kashmir Valley, Ashokashtami is one of the most important Hindu festivals. Devotees throng the Shankaracharya Temple and other shrines, offering Ashoka leaves and flowers to Lord Shiva and Lord Rama. The festival signals the triumph of dharma and is considered highly auspicious for beginning new ventures, journeys, and spiritual undertakings. Chariot processions (Ratha Yatras) carrying the utsava murtis of deities are a vibrant feature of the celebrations.

In Odisha, Ashokashtami coincides with the grand Ratha Yatra preparations and is linked to Lord Lingaraja and other regional deities. Devotees offer Ashoka flowers and leaves, perform Abhishekam, and participate in community feasts. The Ashoka tree, with its sorrow-relieving name ('Shoka' meaning sorrow and 'A' meaning without), is venerated as a remover of grief and a harbinger of joy.

Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules

Devotees worship Lord Rama and Lord Shiva with Ashoka leaves and flowers, seeking victory, relief from sorrow, and spiritual renewal.

Step-by-Step Fasting Procedures:

Rise early, bathe, and wear clean clothes, preferably in shades of orange, red, or white.
Observe a partial fast, abstaining from grains and heavy foods; consume fruits, milk, and satvik preparations.
Collect fresh Ashoka leaves and flowers, being careful not to harm the tree unnecessarily.
Perform Puja to Lord Rama or Lord Shiva, offering Ashoka leaves, flowers, sandalwood paste, incense, and lamps.
Recite the Ramayana, especially the Ayodhya Kanda, or chant the Rama Taraka Mantra.
If possible, participate in or organize a small Ratha Yatra or chariot procession of the family deity.

Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps

Essential Puja Samagri:

Fresh Ashoka leaves and flowersSandalwood pasteKumkum and turmericIncense sticksGhee lampFruits and sweetsRaw rice or barleySacred threadGanga Jal

Puja Procedure:

Install an image or idol of Lord Rama (or Shiva) on a clean altar decorated with Ashoka flowers.
Perform Achamana and Sankalpa, resolving to observe Ashokashtami with devotion.
Offer Ashoka leaves and flowers to the deity while chanting Rama or Shiva mantras.
Apply sandalwood paste and Kumkum to the deity, light incense, and wave a ghee lamp.
Offer Naivedya of fruits and sweets, followed by Aarti and Prasad distribution.

Vrat Katha: Rama's Departure and the Blessing of the Ashoka Tree

According to tradition, on the Shukla Paksha Ashtami of Chaitra, Lord Rama prepared to leave Ayodhya to rescue Goddess Sita from the demon king Ravana.

The citizens of Ayodhya, filled with anxiety and love, offered prayers to Lord Shiva and worshipped the Ashoka tree, whose blossoms symbolized freedom from sorrow.

It is said that wherever Rama's chariot passed, Ashoka trees bloomed miraculously, assuring the people that righteousness would soon triumph over evil.

Since then, devotees worship the Ashoka tree on this day, believing that sincere prayers will remove grief, grant victory in noble endeavors, and usher in prosperity.

Ashokashtami: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which tithi is Ashokashtami observed on?

Chaitra Shukla Ashtami; its swami is Shiva, a Jaya Tithi.

Q: When does the Ashokashtami tithi begin and end in 2029?

Shukla Ashtami: 12:44 AM, Fri, Mar 23, 2029 to 01:11 AM, Sat, Mar 24, 2029 (IST).

Q: When is the Ashokashtami tithi in 2030?

Chaitra Shukla Ashtami: 07:41 PM, Wed, Apr 10, 2030 to 09:02 PM, Thu, Apr 11, 2030 (IST).

Q: Which other observances fall on the same tithi as Ashokashtami?

Bhavani Jayanti, also on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami.

Q: Which deity is primarily worshipped on Ashokashtami?

Lord Rama is the primary deity in North and Eastern India, while in Kashmir, Lord Shiva and local forms of the Divine Mother are also worshipped with Ashoka leaves.

Q: What is the symbolism of the Ashoka tree?

The name Ashoka means 'without sorrow'. Its blooming flowers represent the end of grief, renewal, and the victory of righteousness.

Q: Is Ashokashtami related to Navratri?

Yes, Ashokashtami falls during Chaitra Navratri and its celebration often overlaps with the broader nine-night worship of Goddess Durga.