Ahoi Ashtami 2023- Significance, Vrat And Puja
Ahoi Ashtami (अहोई अष्टमी) is one of the major Sanatan Hindu festivals mostly celebrated in Northern India. It is observed on the Ashtami tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik as per the Sanatan Hindu Calendar. This auspicious festival is observed by mothers for the well-being, long life and prosperity of their children. The festival, also known as Ahoi Athe (Athe means eighth day that is for Ashtami) comes four days after Karwa Chauth and a week before Deepwali. Mothers worship Ahoi Mata and seek blessings from her for their children.
Ahoi Ashtami 2023 Important Dates And Times
- Ahoi Ashtami on Sunday, November 5, 2023
- Ahoi Ashtami Puja Muhurat – 05:33 PM to 06:52 PM
- Duration – 01 Hour 18 Mins
- Sanjh (evening) time for sighting Stars – 05:58 PM
- Moonrise on Ahoi Ashtami – 12:02 AM, Nov 06
- Ashtami Tithi Begins – 12:59 AM on Nov 05, 2023
- Ashtami Tithi Ends – 03:18 AM on Nov 06, 2023
Significance Of Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha
Once in a village near a dense forest, lived a kind and devoted woman. She had 7 children. She wanted to renovate her house just a few days before Diwali in the month of Kartik. So, she went to the forest to bring some clay soil to repair her house. When she was digging the soil, she unknowingly hit a lion cub with her spade which killed the cub. She felt remorseful for what happened.
Later in the same year, all her seven children disappeared. There was no trace of what happened to them. Villagers assumed that some wild animals may have killed them. The woman blamed herself for killing the cub unknowingly. She shared her sorrow with wise old ladies of the village and they advised her to worship the Goddess Ahoi Bhagwati, the incarnation of Goddess Parvati and seek forgiveness for sin. She was also advised to sketch the face of the cub she had killed while worshipping Ahoi Mata and observe fast. It is believed that Ahoi Mata is the protector of the progenies.
The woman performed Puja on the Ahoi Ashtami day. She drew the face of the cub and observed Ahoi Mata vrat. She was guilty of what happened and sincerely grieved for her sin. She offered puja to Ahoi Mata with full loyalty and devotion. Goddess Ahoi appeared before her and gave her the boon of long life to her sons. Thereafter, all her seven sons returned home alive. Since then, the tradition of Ahoi Ashtami has been observed by mothers to seek the blessings of Ahoi Mata for the well-being and long life of their children every year on the day of Kartik Krishna Ashtami. Mothers listen to Ahoi Vrat katha, offer puja and observe nirjala vrat on this day to seek blessing for their children.
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Vidhi
Ahoi Ashtami vrat is very strict as mothers have to observe the fast without food and water throughout the day.
- Take an early morning bath
- Take Sankalp, that they will observe fast for their kids’ well-being after.
- Fasting should be done without food or water. And they can break the fast only after viewing the stars or the moon. However, people break the fast as per the traditions followed in their families. Also, if they are sick they should consult a professional pandit fasting guidance.
- Some mothers observed Ahoi Ashtami Vrat from dawn to dusk. Some break their fast only after seeing stars in the sky. Some break their fast after seeing the moon, which may not be easy as the moon rises late on the Ahoi Ashtami night.
Ahoi Ashtami Puja Vidhi
- The Ahoi Ashtami Puja begins by painting the image of the Ahoi Mata on the wall and placing a bowl of water on it. These days, people get posters or pictures of Ahoi Mata, so they just buy them instead of painting.
- A red thread (should not be twisted) is tied around the bowl, and on the edges, turmeric powder is applied. Then the bowl is kept on the left of the Ahoi Mata picture.
- The Ahoi Mata Matha or the Ahoi Ashtami Katha is read by an elderly lady while other ladies gather around to listen to the katha.
- Grains are to be placed on a plate in the centre of the Ahoi Mata picture. The other offerings include halwa and puri, boiled chana and jowar. Nowadays, people include the favourite sweets of their children.
- People also place money in front of the picture of the Goddess.
- After the katha reading is complete, the sweets and money are distributed among the children and elders of the family.
- Some people make garlands of currency notes and continue adding them every year.
- Every year, the picture of Ahoi Mata is decorated with this garland and it is followed for generations every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Ahoi Ashtami important for parents?
A: The well-being, prosperity, happiness and long and healthy life of children is very important for every parent. Ahoi Ashtami Vrat is observed to seek blessings from Ahoi Mata for the long life and happiness of the children.
Q: Can childless women observe this fast and puja?
A: Yes even women who wish to have children or are planning to conceive observe this vrat and puja. However, it is common with only those who are mothers and seek blessings from Ahoi Mata for their children.
For more insight, you can consult our astrologers and pandits here.
