Ahoi Ashtami is an important Hindu festival, mainly celebrated by mothers to bring good health and success to their children. It happens on the 8th day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of lunar month, during Kartik. This special day comes eight days before Diwali and four days after Karwa Chauth. On Ahoi Ashtami, mothers fast and pray to Goddess Ahoi, asking for her blessings to keep their children healthy, happy, and successful. This festival shows the deep love and care mothers have for their children, making their bond even stronger.
Ahoi Ashtami 2024: 24th Or 25th October, When To Observe Ahoi Ashtami Vrat?
Ahoi Ashtami 2024:
- When to observe: 24th October 2024
- Ashtami Tithi:
- Begins: 01:18 AM on 24th October 2024
- Ends: 01:58 AM on 25th October 2024
- Shubh Muhurat for Ahoi Ashtami Puja:
- From: 05:43 PM to 06:59 PM on 24th October 2024
- Evening time for star sighting: Around 06:07 PM as per the Panchang
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On Ahoi Ashtami, mothers used to fast from sunrise to sunset for their son’s well-being. Today, in modern India, people fast for the well-being of all children, including both sons and daughters. The fast ends at dusk when they see stars in the sky. Some women break their fast when they see the moon, but this can be hard because the moon rises late on Ahoi Ashtami.
Ahoi Ashtami usually happens about eight days before Diwali and four days after Karwa Chauth. Like Karwa Chauth, Ahoi Ashtami is more common in North India. This day is also called Ahoi Aathe because the fast is done on the eighth day of the month.
Like Karwa Chauth, Ahoi Ashtami is a strict fasting day, and many women don’t even drink water all day. The fast is only broken when they see the stars.
Also Read: Why Ahoi Ashtami is the Most Powerful Day of the Year for Women
Ahoi Ashtami Puja: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Sankalp: The day begins with a vow (Sankalp) to observe the fast without food or water until the stars or moon are sighted.
- Puja Preparation:
- Draw or place an image of Goddess Ahoi with eight corners (Ashtha Koshthak) and Sei (hedgehog) on a wall or use wallpaper.
- Sanctify the worship area with holy water and draw Alpana.
- Place a water-filled Kalash (pot) covered with an earthen lid.
- Place a small earthen pot (Karwa) filled with water and covered with a lid on the Kalash.
- Block the nozzle of the Karwa with seven grass shoots (Sarai Seenka) or cotton buds.
- Offer the seven grass shoots to Ahoi Mata and Sei during Puja.
- Prepare eight Puri, eight Pua, and Halwa as offerings.
- Ahoi Mata Puja:
- Perform Puja after sunset.
- Worship Ahoi Mata with all rituals.
- Narrate the story of Ahoi Mata.
- Offer Halwa to Sei.
- Some communities also worship a silver Ahoi (Syau).
- Perform Aarti at the end.
- Star or Moon Worship:
- Offer Argha to the stars or moon (depending on tradition) before breaking the fast.
- Use the water from the Kalash for the morning bath on Roop Chaudas (Narak Chaturdashi).
Also Read: The Dark Secret of Ahoi Ashtami: You Need to Know
Significance of Ahoi Ashtami
- Women follow this ritual to show their love and dedication to their kids.
- It’s thought to help keep children healthy, safe, and their long lives.
- Women who want kids or have trouble having them also do this ritual.
- Ahoi Ashtami is also called Krishnashtami, especially for couples hoping to have children.
- It’s a very important custom in Hinduism, showing the cultural and spiritual beliefs of Indian culture.
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha – A Tale of a Mother and her Seven Sons
Long ago, in a village close to a thick forest, there lived a caring and dedicated woman who had seven sons. One Kartik month, just before Diwali celebrations, she decided to fix up and beautify her home for the festivities. To do this, she went to the forest to gather some soil. While digging in the forest, she accidentally killed a baby lion with the shovel she was using. She felt very sad, guilty, and responsible for the death of the innocent cub.
Within a year after this event, all seven of the woman’s sons vanished, and the villagers believed they were dead. They thought wild animals from the forest might have killed them. The woman was deeply sad and connected all her bad luck to the accidental death of the cub. One day, she told her troubles to an elderly woman in the village. She explained how she unintentionally killed the cub. The older woman advised her to pray to Goddess Ahoi Bhagawati, a form of Goddess Parvati, as a way to make up for her mistake. She suggested drawing the cub’s face and fasting and worshiping the Goddess, who is believed to protect the children of all living beings.
The women chose to honor Goddess Ahoi on Ashthami. When Ashtami arrived, she drew the face of a cub, fasted, and performed the Ahoi Mata Puja. She sincerely apologized for her wrongdoing. Goddess Ahoi was pleased with her devotion and honesty, so she appeared before her and granted her the blessing of long lives for her sons. Soon, all seven of her sons returned home safely. From that day on, it became a tradition to worship Goddess Ahoi Bhagawati every year on Kartik Krishna Ashtami. On this day, mothers pray and fast for the well-being of their children.
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Ahoi Mata Aarti
॥ Aarti Ahoi Mata Ki ॥
Jai Ahoi Mata,Jai Ahoi Mata।
Tumko Nisdin DhyavatHari Vishnu Vidhata॥
Jai Ahoi Mata…॥
Brahamni Rudrani KamlaTu He Hai Jag Mata।
Surya Chandrama DhyavatNarad Rishi Gata॥
Jai Ahoi Mata…॥
Mata Roop NiranjanSukh Sampatti Data।
Jo Koi Tumko DhyavatNit Mangal Pata॥
Jai Ahoi Mata…॥
Tu He Hai Pataal BasantiTu He Hai Sukh Data।
Karma Prabhav PrakashakJagniddhi Se Trata॥
Jai Ahoi Mata…॥
Jis Ghar Tharo VaasWahi Mein Gunna Aata।
Kar Na Sake Soi Kar LeMann Nahi Ghabrata॥
Jai Ahoi Mata…॥
Tum Bin Sukh Na HovayPutra Na Koi Pata।
Khan-Paan Ka VaibhavTum Bin Nahi Aata॥
Jai Ahoi Mata…॥
Subh Gun Sundar YuktaSheer Niddhi Jata।
Ratan ChaturdarshaToku Koi Nahi Pata॥
Jai Ahoi Mata…॥
Shree Ahoi Maa Ki AartiJo Koi Gata।
Ur Umang Ati UpjayPaap Utar Jata॥
Jai Ahoi Mata…॥
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FAQs
Is Ahoi Ashtami for son?
Yes, Ahoi Ashtami is primarily celebrated for the well-being of sons. While it’s a festival that honors mothers’ devotion to their children, the tradition has historically focused on the safety and prosperity of sons.
Why is Ahoi Ashtami celebrated?
Mothers celebrate Ahoi Ashtami for their children’s health and long life.
How is Ahoi Ashtami fast done?
On Ahoi Ashtami, mothers start their fast from sunrise to sunset for their son’s well-being. They break their fast at dusk, after seeing stars or moon in the sky.
Can we drink water in Ahoi Ashtami VRAT?
On Ahoi Ashtami, you should take an early bath, wear new or clean clothes, and not consume anything.
Which color to wear on Ahoi Ashtami?
As a sign of respect for the Goddess and your children, avoid wearing black, blue, or white clothes on Ahoi Ashtami.
Can We eat fruits in Ahoi Fast?
On Ahoi Ashtami, people can eat light fruits such as Sargi in the morning. During the fast, they can have dry fruits, regular fruits, and milk. They should avoid grains, fried foods, and heavy meals while fasting.
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