Ahoi Ashtami 2023: According to Naradpuran, Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, the best among all the months, has been prescribed for a fast called Karkashtami. It is also called Ahoi Eighth or Ahoi Ashtami in the folk language. The literal meaning of Ahoi is the mother who transforms misfortune into happiness. Goddess Parvati is the Adishakti who averts any untoward incident or misfortune in this entire creation, hence on this day Goddess Parvati is worshiped as Ahoi Mata. Ahoi Ashtami fast will be observed on 5th November, Sunday. Ashtami Tithi will start at 1 a.m. on November 4 and will end at 3:19 p.m. on November 5. According to Udaya Tithi, Ashtami Tithi is on 5th November, Sunday. So Ahoi Ashtami fast will be observed on this day only. Apart from this, an auspicious coincidence of Ravi Pushya Yoga is also taking place on this day, the fast observed in this Yoga gives double the results.
Importance of Ahoi Ashtami fast
Mothers observe this fast for the protection and progress of their children. There is a religious belief that the fast observed as per the rituals on the day of Ahoi Ashtami brings happiness and prosperity in the lives of both mother and child and all their problems end.
Ahoi Ashtami puja ritual
It is best to perform the puja of Ahoi Ashtami in the evening during Pradosh Vela. After fasting throughout the day, in the evening after sunset, when the stars rise in the sky, start the puja and after the moonrise at night, one should offer Arghya to the moon. Those observing fast on this day should wake up early in the morning and take a bath. After this, clean one wall of the house thoroughly and draw a picture of Ahoi Mata on it. Use ocher or kumkum to create this picture. After this, light a ghee lamp in front of the picture of Ahoi Mata. Then offer dishes like halwa, puri, sweets, etc. to Ahoi Mata. After this, read the story of Ahoi Mata and while chanting her mantras, pray to her that Ahoi Mata always protects your children.
Ahoi Ashtami mantras
By chanting 'Om Parvatipriyanandanaya Namah' 11 times for 45 days from Ahoi Ashtami, all the troubles related to children are eradicated.
Story of Ahoi Ashtami fast
According to the story, in ancient times, a moneylender had seven sons. Before Diwali, the moneylender's wife went to the field to collect soil for plastering the house and started digging the soil with a spade. While digging the soil, an animal cub ( Syahu's child) died. Saddened by this incident, Syahu's mother cursed that woman. After a few days, throughout the year, her seven sons died one after the other. The woman began to feel extremely distressed. One day he mournfully told the whole incident to the Siddha Mahatma who had come to the village. The Mahatma said that on the same Ashtami, you should take the shelter of Goddess Bhagwati, make a picture of Syahu and his children worship them, and ask for forgiveness. By the grace of Mother Goddess, your sins will be destroyed. The moneylender's wife obeyed the sage and fasted and worshiped on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. Due to the effect of the fast, all his seven sons came alive. Since then, women have worshiped Ahoi Mata for the happiness of their children.
PC Social media
