Ahoi Ashtami, 2024
Ahoi Ashtami is a Hindu holiday that women mostly commemorate in North India in hopes of their children’s health, wealth, and longevity. It is celebrated on the eighth day, or Ashtami, of the Krishna Paksha, or waning phase of the moon, in the month of Kartik. This is roughly a week before Diwali and typically occurs four days after Karva Chauth.
The importance of Ahoi Ashtami’s blessings for kids
The primary meaning of Ahoi Ashtami is mothers fasting and praying for their children’s well-being and prosperity. The celebration honours the close relationship and love that exists between mothers and their offspring.
A Legend Concerning Ahoi Ashtami
The most well-known myth about Ahoi Ashtami is about a woman who murdered a cub by mistake when she was excavating dirt for her home. The lioness who was the cub’s mother cursed her that she would lose one of her offspring. The mother fasted strictly and prayed to Goddess Ahoi Ashtami, asking for forgiveness and relief from the curse in exchange for her children’s safety. Her child was spared, and her repentance and dedication were rewarded. The themes of loyalty, repentance, and the strength of a mother’s love are emphasised in this narrative.
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Customs and Festivals Fasting: Mothers fast during the entire day, from sunrise until they see the moon or stars. Traditionally, they abstain from food and liquids, while some might choose to fast less severely based on their health and situation.
Puja Get Ready: The puja venue is cleaned and decorated in advance of Ahoi Ashtami Puja. On a wall are drawings or depictions of Ahoi Mata, a manifestation of Goddess Parvati, and a lioness with her cubs.
The Ahoi Mata drawing: A crude drawing of Ahoi Mata with a lioness and her pups is often found on the wall of many homes. For the same reason, some people also use pre-made images or posters.
Offering & Prayers: Offerings to Ahoi Mata during puja include milk, rice, chana (gramme), puri, and sweets. A water-filled pot (kalash) is positioned close to the picture. In order to ask for blessings for their children, mothers recite the Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha (tale) and other prayers.
Moon or Star Sighting: Usually, the fast is broken after seeing the moon, if it is visible, or the stars in the evening. After giving the stars or moon arghya, or a libation of water, mothers break their fast with a modest meal.
Planting Seeds: In certain areas, planting seeds in a little pot, such as wheat or other seeds, is a ceremony that represents growth and fertility.
Giving back: Giving food, clothing, or cash to Brahmins or the underprivileged is also customary as a kind of penance and good karma.
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Regional Differences
The Ahoi Ashtami observances and rites may vary slightly between different places. The celebration is called Ahoi Aatham in Gujarat, and local rituals and particular puja materials may differ from one another.
Method to celebrate Ahoi Ashtami
Ahoi Ashtami is celebrated with a number of customs and observances, most of which are carried out by mothers for the health and prosperity of their offspring. Here’s how to celebrate Ahoi Ashtami step-by-step:
Cleaning, Decorating, and Preparation: Prepare a space in your house for the puja by cleaning and decorating it. This can involve organising a spotless area on a table or in a home corner, or it can involve cleaning the puja room.
Getting Ready for Puja:
Assemble the things needed for the puja, such as:
a depiction of Ahoi Mata, the goddess Parvati
Drawings or pictures of a lioness with her cubs
Kalash (a water-filled pot)
Offerings include milk, rice, chana (gramme), puri (bread), and sweets.
Fresh flowers, incense sticks, and diyas (oil lamps)
Rice grains, aarti (cotton wick), and roli (vermilion) are among the elements on the Pooja thali (plate).
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Customs and Holidays
Fasting: From sunrise till the evening when the stars or moon may be seen, mothers keep a fast. This usually means not eating or drinking anything, yet there are occasions when people practise other things like eating fruits or drinking milk.
Sketching the Lioness with Cubs and Ahoi Mata: Using a clean piece of fabric or the wall, draw or paste images of Ahoi Mata and the lioness with her pups. Usually, red ochre (geru) or turmeric powder are used for this.
Getting the Puja Room Ready: Put the water-filled kalash (pot) next to the pictures of the lioness and Ahoi Mata. Arrange flowers, diya lamps, and other puja supplies to adorn the space.
Offerings and Prayers: Light the incense sticks and diya lamps. Place milk, rice, chana, puri, and sweets in front of Ahoi Mata’s picture. Say the Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha (tale) aloud or pay attention to someone else tell it.
Arghya: Offering of Water
Offer arghya, or a libation of water, to the stars or moon during the auspicious time to represent the end of the fast and to ask for blessings.
Breaking the Fast: Once you have offered arghya, break your fast. Eat something easy for dinner, such as fruits, milk, or special occasion-prepared foods.
Giving and Receiving: Give food, clothing, or money to Brahmins or the less fortunate in your community as a gesture of kindness and to earn merit.
Honouring Ahoi Ashtami is a sentimental occasion that highlights the close relationship that exists between mothers and their offspring. It entails customs intended to obtain blessings for the family’s wealth and well-being, especially for the children. Mothers honour the memory of Ahoi Ashtami and show their love and concern for their loved ones by passionately adhering to these customs.
Date of Ahoi Ashtami โ 24th Oct, 2024
Tithi โ Krishna Ashtami, Kartika
Day โ Thursday
