Ahoi Ashtami is one of the auspicious festivals of India which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The festival is celebrated about eight days before Diwali and four days after Karwa Chauth. Women do Ahoi Ashtami fast for the long life, health, and prosperity of their children. Do you know the significance of this festival?
Read further to know more about it.
When is Ahoi Ashtami in 2023?
Ahoi Ashtami 2023 will be celebrated on 5th November (Sunday). These important timings you should know are given below.
- Ahoi Ashtami Puja Timing – 05: From 3:30 PM – 06:49 PM (1 hour and 18 mins)
- Sanjh, or evening time for sighting the stars – 05: 58 PM.
- Moonrise on Ahoi Ashtami – 12: 02 AM on 6th November.
- Ashtami Tithi (Begins) – 12: On 5th November 2023, 59 AM.
- Ashtami Tithi (Ends) – 03: at eight o’clock in the morning on 6th November 2023.
The Importance of Ahoi Ashtami: A Look into It.
This event takes place on the Ashtami tithi of the Kartik Krishna paksha, as per the Hindu calendar. This festival falls in the month of Ashwin in the states where the Amanta Hindu Calendar is used, such as Gujarat and Maharashtra. It lies in the middle of October and November per the Gregorian calendar. This occasion also referred to as “Ahoi Ashtami” is celebrated on the “Ashtami Tithi” which falls on the 8th day. This festival is also called “Ahoi Aathe” and is widely celebrated with great fanfare, particularly in North India.
The festival is meant for Goddess Ahoi or Ahoi Mata, and the women worship her completely. Women do Ahoi Ashtami fast for their children’s safety, happiness, and longevity. These days, however, mothers have started fasting on behalf of their children’s good health, long life, and general well-being.
Ahoi Ashtami is almost identical to Karva Chauth. It is just like any other fasting day. Women do not eat, or even drink water, throughout the day during this fast. However, they may not break the fast until evening when they have seen and worshiped the evening’s stars.
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha.
One day, in a village, a woman had seven sons, and in the month of Kartik (according to the Hindu calendar), she went to the forest to collect some materials that were needed for the renovation of her home. She dug soil with an axe near a den. The cub was killed after it was hit by the woman’s axe when she attempted to cut the den where the cub was hidden. She felt guilty and sympathized with the woman.
In a few days, her sons began passing on one after another, each year, the seven of them had perished. She turned into depression and a few old women of her village went to console her. She told them all the story about the death of the cub, which happened by coincidence.
The women told her that she had compensated for half of the sin by confessing her sin and so they were very appreciative of this. They advised her to pray to the goddess Asthmi Bhagwati so that her sin would be taken away. The woman observed fast on Kartik Krishna Ashtami after which she began performing her prayers and fasting more often. She would later have her seven sons back over time.
Ahoi Ashtami 2023 Vidhi and celebration.
The Ahoi Ashtami Puja is only successful when every ritual in it is adhered to appropriately. The following are the rituals for Ahoi Ashtami Puja:
- Sankalp: On the day of Ahoi Ashtami, women must take the Sankalp (pledge) and observe a fast for the lifespan of the children.
- Ahoi Ashtami Puja: Ahoi Mata is worshiped in the Ahoi Ashtami Puja. In the evening, women perform the puja by telling Ahoi Ashtami vrat ki katha and wishing each other ‘Happy Ahoi Ashtami.’ During the Puja, the Syau(made of silver, )is worshiped with Roli, rice, and milk. Afterward, the Syau is worn around the neck as a pendant. The Ahoi Ashtami Aarti is also enacted during the puja.
- Ahoi Ashtami Upaaye: During the Ahoi Ashtami puja, you need to provide red and white flowers to the Goddess. Some of the other offerings include halwa, sandalwood, and pua. In the evening as well, people light a diya under the peepal tree.
- Worship of Stars: Women perform puja and Ahoi Ashtami Katha in the evening, and offer Arghya to the stars after that. The Kalash gives Arghya to the stars and then they have a Prasad to eat it to their Goddess.
- Association with Krishnashtami: Krishnashtami is another name for Ahoi Ashtami because it appears on the eighth day of the Krishna-Paksha in the Hindu calendar. This day has a special importance for those individuals who have failed to conceive a child. In Mathura, devotees take a dip in a holy bath in the Radha Kunda, which is a holy pond.
Conclusion
The festival celebrates the prayer for one’s children’s happiness, long life, as well as good health. After watching the stars in the evening, they complete the fasting. In the blog, we understand Ahoi Ashtami significance, muhurat timings, evening stars, kathas, and many more.
FAQs.
Q. What is the timing of Ahoi Puja in 2023?
Ahoi Ashtami is on 5 November 2023. Puja Muhurat: 06:00 PM to 07:13 PM. Stars Gazing Time: 05:58 PM
Q. What to eat during Ahoi Ashtami VRAT?
On this day, a woman should avoid eating anything.
Q. What is the prasad for Ahoi Ashtami?
Halwa-Puri, Chana, and Gulgule.
Q. Can we sleep in Ahoi Ashtami vrat?
Women who are fasting should avoid sleeping during the day.
Q. What is the other name of Ahoi Ashtami?
The Ahoi Ashtami is also known as Krishnashtmi.
