Ahoi Ashtami

Ahoi Ashtami festival is specifically meant for mothers who have sons. Mother's keep fast on this day and this is celebrated in the month of November (Karthik Mas).Pure water is offered to stars during the evening time by the mothers and they prey for their long life of their sons. Many stories are associated with this festival which pertains to asking for wish and and blessings for their sons.The Ahoi Ashtami fast and prayer are almost similar to that of Karwa Chauth. People from different parts of North India celebrate the fast with a few variations. 

Mothers fast all day and offer prayers to Ahoi Mata. They wake up before sunrise, have some refreshments and proceed to the temple to offer prayers for their children.Women observing the fast should avoid getting angry on this day. And, bring bad thoughts to mind, on the day of fasting reduced the goodness of Vrat. Also, on the day of fast, women should not sleep in the day time. As per a belief, observing this fast increases the longevity of child and bestow him with good health and happiness. Additionally, Goddess Parvati is a worshiped. Because she also the protector of child.After worshiping, the story of Goddess Ahoi is heard. Then, blessing are taken by touching feet of father and mother-in-law as well as other elders of the family.  The Aarti is performed for stars. The fast ends in the evening when the moon appears. Some families also break their fast once they see the stars in the sky.

Story :

Once there lived a woman along with her seven sons in a village, which was located near a dense forest. Diwali was fast approaching and she decided to decorate her house. For this she decided to go to the forest and gather soil. While digging for soil near a den, she accidentally killed a lion cub. She felt remorse and sad. But as she could not do anything she took the soil and returned home. But in a year’s time all her seven sons disappeared and they were considered dead by the villagers. The mother of the seven sons realized that all this was due to the accidental death of the cub. 

She soon told the villagers about it and they advised her to observe puja and fast dedicated to Ahoi Ashtami Bhagavati. The mother draws the Ahoi Ashtami Bhagwati sketch and observes a fast and puja on the Ashtami day before Diwali. The poor woman’s prayers were heard by the Goddess and soon all her seven sons return home safely. From that day onwards, mothers pray and fast for the well being and long life of their children on Ahoi Ashtami day. 

 

2017 Date : 12th October.