When is Ashtami 2024? Ahoi Ashtami fast is observed on the Ashtami date of Kartik Krishna Paksha. On this day, Ahoi Mata, who is also considered Mother Parvati, is worshiped. On this day, women fast and pray for the safety and long life of their children.
The Ahoi Ashtami fast is special for those who cannot have children. Furthermore, this festival is also beneficial for women whose children do not live long or are destroyed in the womb. Generally, performing special rituals on this day leads to the progress and well-being of children. This fast is both a factor of age and also a factor of good luck.
Ahoi Ashtami Katha
In ancient times there was a moneylender. He had seven sons and one daughter. The moneylender had married off all his sons and daughters. Every Diwali, the moneylender’s daughter used to come to her parents’ house. On the day of Diwali, the moneylender’s seven daughters-in-law went to collect soil from the forest to plaster the house. Seeing them leave, the lender’s daughter also went with them. The moneylender’s daughter came to the forest and began to dig the ground, in that place lived Syahu (porcupine) with her children. While cutting the land, the hoe in his hand struck one of Syahu’s sons and one of Syahu’s sons died. Angry at this, Syahu said that just as you killed my son, I will also give birth to you.
Hearing what Syahu said, the moneylender’s daughter began asking her seven sisters-in-law to tie her womb instead. The younger sister-in-law agreed and her uterus was tied in place of her sister-in-law. After this, whatever children the younger sister-in-law had would die within seven days. She was deeply saddened by the death of her seven children and called the Pandit and asked him the reason.
The Pandit heard his plight and advised him to serve the cow Surhi. The beautiful cow is happy with the service of the younger daughter-in-law and asks her why you serve me so much and what you want from me. The pawnbroker’s youngest daughter-in-law told Surhi Gai that Syahu Mata had tied her womb, after which whenever she gave birth to a child, he died within seven days. If you open my belly, I will be very grateful to you.
The Surahi cow obeyed him and began to carry him across the seven seas to Syahu Mata. Along the way, they both start to rest when they get tired. Then suddenly the pawnbroker’s youngest daughter-in-law sees that a snake is about to bite Garuda Pankhani’s son. She kills the snake to save the boy. When Garuda Pankhani sees blood spread there, he feels that his younger daughter-in-law has killed his son. Thinking that she is the murderer of her son, she begins to peck her youngest daughter-in-law.
The youngest daughter-in-law explains to him that this blood is from a snake, by killing it I have saved your son’s life. Garuda Pankhani This lady is very happy and takes Surhi and her youngest daughter-in-law to Syahu. After arriving there, the youngest daughter-in-law also serves Syahu a lot. Pleased with the younger daughter-in-law’s service, Syahu blesses her to have seven sons and seven daughters-in-law. With Syahu’s blessings, their house becomes green again. Another meaning of Ahoi is “to make the impossible happen.” As if the pawnbroker’s youngest daughter-in-law had caused something untoward to happen. Since then the tradition of observing fast on Ahoi Ashtami began.
Ahoi Ashtami Pujan Vidhi
On this day, first thing in the morning, take bath and resolve to worship Ahoi. Then, draw the figure of Ahoi Mata on the wall with ocher or red color. But this puja will begin after sunset, when the stars go out.
At the same time, a silver or metal ahoi, a silver pearl rosary, a kalash filled with water, milk, rice, halwa, flowers and lamps, etc. will be kept among the worship material. First worship of Ahoi Mata with Roli, flowers and lamp. After this offer them milk and rice. Then listen to the story of Ahoi with seven grains of wheat and some Dakshina in his hand. After the story, wear this garland around your neck and give the wheat grains and Dakshina that you carried in your hand to your mother-in-law and seek her blessings. After this, offer Arghya to the Moon and eat.
Also, the silver garland will remain around the neck from Ashtami Tithi to Diwali. On Diwali day, take it out, spray it with water and keep it safe.
