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We have all heard about Karwa Chauth, but have you ever heard about Ahoi Ashtami? All mothers celebrate Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Puja, which reminds us of the divine bond of love and protection and is dedicated to the well-being of their children. On this day, mothers observe a fast from sunrise until sunset, avoid food and water, and perform rituals to seek blessings from Ahoi Mata for their children’s well-being and longer lifespan.
Ahoi Ashtami 2024 Date And Time
- Ahoi Ashtami 2024 Date: October 24th, 2024 (Thursday)
- Tithi begins: October 24th, 03:29 AM
- Tithi Ends: October 25th, 05:AM
What is Ahoi Ashtami?
“Ahoi” is derived from “Aho,” which means “fasting day,” and “Ashtami,” which means “eighth day.” Mothers celebrate the Hindu festival of Ahoi Ashtami to ensure the safety and security of their children. They observe it on the eighth day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, which typically falls in October or November.
Mothers with sons hold a special significance for the festival, as they believe that observing the Ahoi Ashtami fast brings blessings and protection to their children. They worship and offer prayers to the goddess Ahoi or Ahoi Mata, whom they believe to be the protector of children and a granter of wishes.
Furthermore, families celebrate Ahoi Ashtami as a joyous occasion. After the fasting period, they prepare and share special meals and delicacies with family members and relatives. It also serves as a time for mothers to come together, exchange stories, and celebrate the bond between mothers and their children.
Significance of Ahoi Ashtami Vrat
The Hindu community considers every Hindu ritual or puja significant because it is deeply rooted in their religious and cultural beliefs. The importance of rituals and pujas lies in various reasons. People have been practising many Hindu rituals and pujas for centuries, and they have become an integral part of our lives.
Similarly, mothers wake up before sunrise during this puja and have a pre-dawn meal called “Sargi.” They observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining from eating food and drinking water. They break the fast only after looking at the stars in the evening sky.
The main ritual of Ahoi Ashtami puja involves creating a sacred painting or image of the Goddess Ahoi. People usually depict the face of a lioness in this painting, as they believe that the lion is the vehicle of the goddess. They draw the image on the wall or on a piece of paper and place a small vessel called a “Karva” in front of it. They believe that by placing the Karva in front of the image, the goddess bestows her blessings upon the family, ensuring their prosperity and abundance.
Besides that, mothers offer prayers to the goddess, seeking her blessings for the well-being and prosperity of their children. They also pray for forgiveness for any mistakes they may have made in fulfilling their duties during the Ahoi Ashtami fast process. Then, they fill the Karva with water and arrange seven small clay pots around it, representing the seven sons of Ahoi.
How do you worship Ahoi Ashtami?
Mothers in India, particularly in the northern regions, observe a special festival called Ahoi Astami. During this auspicious day, mothers perform worship rituals dedicated to Ahoi Mata, the deity believed to bless and protect children. The preparations for Ahoi Ashtami begin a day prior, on Saptami, when women clean their homes and prepare a sacred space for the puja.
People draw a picture of Ahoi Mata on the walls or a piece of paper as the main tradition of Ahoi Ashtami. The picture depicts a woman carrying a vessel or jar filled with water and grains such as wheat or rice. Some women even use a metal plate or a wooden board to draw Ahoi Mata. The jar or vessel symbolizes fertility and abundance, while the grains represent nourishment and wealth.
After drawing the image, they make a small hole near the jar and pass a thread or string through it. They consider this thread sacred and wear it as a protective thread, believing that it safeguards the well-being of their children.
During the Ahoi Ashtami puja, mothers gather around the image and offer prayers to Ahoi Mata. They light a lamp and incense sticks and chant specific mantras and stotrams dedicated to the deity. One of the commonly recited mantras is:
“सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके। शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरी नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥”
Mothers chant this mantra to seek the blessings of Ahoi Mata for the well-being, health, and prosperity of their children. After the prayers, mothers offer fruits, sweets, and other traditional delicacies to Ahoi Mata. They later distribute these offerings as prasad to family members and neighbours. The fast concludes as they look at the moon and offer water to it.
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha
The Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha is a traditional narrative that mothers narrate during the fasting and puja rituals associated with the festival. Although the Katha varies slightly among different regions and families, the essence remains the same.
Well, do you know the mythological history behind mothers performing this puja and Ahoi fast? According to Hindu mythology, once, there was a woman who lived in a village with her seven sons. One day, while digging in the ground, she accidentally killed a young lion cub.
This act deeply made her feel guilty for causing harm to a helpless creature. She believed that her actions would bring misfortune upon her sons. Feeling regretful and sorry, the woman approached a sage for guidance. The sage advised her to observe a fast on the eighth day of Kartik month and worship Goddess Ahoi.
The woman followed the sage’s advice and observed the fast with utmost devotion. Pleased with her dedication, Goddess Ahoi blessed her and her sons, removing potential harm. From that day onwards, mothers started observing Ahoi Ashtami vrat to ensure the well-being and longevity of their children. On this day, mothers keep a fast from sunrise to moonrise and offer prayers to Goddess Ahoi, seeking her blessings and protection for their children.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is Ahoi Ashtami?
2. Who is Ahoi Mata?
3. Do all regions in India celebrate Ahoi Ashtami vrat puja?
4. Are there any specific food items that people consume after breaking the fast?
5. Can women who do not have children perform Ahoi Mata puja?
6. Are there any specific mantras or prayers associated with Ahoi Mata puja?
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