Ahoi Ashtami is an important Hindu festival dedicated to motherhood, where mothers worship Ahoi Mata and pray for the well-being and long life of their children.
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Welcome to the oasis of delightful readings at www.onindianpath.com. In this blog, let’s explore the significance of Ahoi Ashtami.
Introduction
We Indians celebrate every day with extravagant lovd and unity. We do not need Mother’s Day or Father’s Day to honor our parents. Our rich culture has given us many festivals to express gratitude to our birth givers. One such festival is Ahoi Ashtami popularly known as Karak Ashtami, Karashtami and Avahi Aathe in different geographical locations.
Hinduism is a rich culture anticipating the smallest joys of life celebrations in the simplest yet grandest way. Additionally, Ahoi Ashtami is the festival where women worship goddess Ahoi and observe fast for the well being of their wards. Also called Ahoi Aathe, Ahoi Mata is incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.
Contemporary Ahoi Ashtami
Ahoi Ashtami is traditionally considered a women-centric festival, but modern times have expanded its significance. Many children, regardless of their age, now observe the fast for the well-being of their mothers. I still remember keeping the fast for my mother on Ahoi Ashtami when I was just 12 years old. While some may consider this unconventional, for me, it’s a way to honor and reciprocate the love and respect for the first lady of my life.
Significance of Ahoi Ashtami
However, this festival holds profound importance in Hinduism. As, it falls 8 days before Diwali. It is also called starting of Diwali festivity at many places in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
On this day, mothers observe a fast and worship Ahoi Mata, seeking her blessings for the health, prosperity, and long life of their children. The festival emphasizes the strong bond between mothers and their children and highlights the cultural importance of family and parental devotion in Hindu tradition.
Although, it is a time for prayer, rituals and expressions of gratitude towards the divine for the blessings of parenthood.
Moreover, this festival is marked by drawing the image of Ahoi Mata on the wall and performing rituals with offerings of halwa (sweet food), water, baina and other items. Ahoi Ashtami highlights the profound bond between mothers and their children and is a time for family unity and devotion.
Date and tithi of Ahoi Ashtami 2024
Apparently, in 2024, Ahoi Ashtami will fall on October 24, 2024. The tithi falls on ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha of Kartik mas of Hindu Panchang.
Further, the tithi will start at 01:18 AM on October 24, 2024 and will end up at 1:58 AM on October 25, 2024. Furthermore, puja muhurat will commence at 17:45 PM and will conclude at 18:59 PM on same day. And, sighting of star for Arghya will start at 18:07 PM.
Rituals
a) Firstly, hindu women wake up early in the morning, then have their bathing rituals done on time.
b) Then after, mothers observe a fast from dawn to dusk, breaking it only after sighting the stars.
c) In the evening, they worship Goddess Ahoi, seeking her blessings for the prosperity and longevity of their children.
c) Thus, they do the preparations for the ritual before dusk as it is the time to recite katha and do the rituals.
Eventually, women draw the idol of Ahoi on the wall by filling it with colours. Syau mata and Syau’s children are also drawn near the same idol.
d) Infact in the evening women start the worshiping rituals and preparations. Before Ahoi Pujan (worship), one should always clean the place of worship thoroughly.
First, draw or place the image of Ahoi Mata at the designated spot, where later the Diwali puja will be conducted.
Secondly, fill the karwa (small earthen pot) with water and flowers,placing it at one corner. One need to put Pujapa over the earthen pot. Indeed, Pujapa includes chestnut, flowers, sugarcane pieces and other seasonal fruits in smaller quantity. Additionally, offer bhog of 8 puris, 8 pue and halwa to Goddess Ahoi. Lastly, light a diya and start the pujan (worship) and recite the katha with devotion.
End your puja with aarti and pray for the welfare of children.
Meaning of Image of Ahoi Ashtami
The image of goddess Ahoi is drawn in Ashtak Koshthak. Ashtak Koshthak is a geometrical shape depicting eight directions and tithi of Ahoi Ashtami. This image is auspicious shape to bring up the prosperity and fortune in the house. This image is made with Gheru (ochre pigment) with a majestic lion. Likwwise, peacock, solah shringaar, cow, syau mata and her children.
However, many people adorned the wall with skilled embroidered on cloth and get it framed.These days, one can easily find coloured picture papers of Ahoi in online and offlline markets.
Snan on Ahoi Ashtami
And, there is a special event called Govardhana Radha Kunda Snan, a ceremonial bath for purification, that takes place every year on Ahoi Ashtami at Govardhan (Mathura). It is particularly advised for childless couples to bathe in the pond before sunrise at this location, seeking blessings for progeny and well-being.
My marwari Ahoi Ashtami celebrations
Being a Marwari Baniya daughter-in-law, I am privileged to experience the vibrant and majestic celebrations of all our festivals. During the Ahoi Ashtami puja, all married women wear a silver Syau Mata chain, which features two silver beads. As sons of the family get married, the mother-in-law adds more beads to the chain. Similar to a pendant on a necklace, a silver Ahoi is attached, and silver beads are threaded into the chain, symbolizing the growing family and the continuation of traditions.
Conclusion
At the end, we know that Ahoi Ashtami is a profound celebration of maternal devotion and the deep bond between mothers and their children. It teaches us the rich cultural traditions, including fasting, prayers and the worship of Ahoi Mata, seeking blessings for the health and longevity of children.
Every hindu festival symbolises love and harmony. So is Ahoi Aathe, reflecting the values of gratitude, familial love and respect for traditions that are integral to Hindu culture. Ahoi Ashtami continues to be a day of heartfelt reverence and joy, honoring the timeless role of mothers in our lives.
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