Must know the Ahoi Ashtami 2023: Date, History, Rituals, Fasting Rules and much more...
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Ahoi Ashtami 2023: Date, Rituals, and Traditions
If you want to learn about a special day in India called Ahoi Ashtami Puja, this blog at PrimeNewsly is for you! Ahoi Ashtami is a day when moms fast and pray for their children's well-being.
This blog will tell you all about why it's important and how it's celebrated. You'll also find out the story behind Ahoi Ashtami and why it's a day to show love and care for kids. So, if you're curious about Indian traditions and want to know more, keep reading!
Ahoi Ashtami Puja is a special fasting and worship day celebrated by mothers in India. It occurs about 8 days before the festival of Diwali, which is a joyful celebration of lights. This fasting day falls on the eighth day of the lunar month and is dedicated to Goddess Ahoi, also known as Mata Ahoi.
Mothers observe a fast from sunrise to sunset on Ahoi Ashtami to pray for the well-being and long life of their children, especially their sons. This fasting tradition is essential for many families, and it's a way for mothers to show their love and care for their kids. The fast is broken during the evening, either after sighting the stars in the sky or, in some regions, after sighting the moon.
The date may vary slightly depending on the lunar calendar used in different parts of India, but the Ahoi Ashtami fast reason to express the devotion and love that mothers feel remains the same.
So, why is Ahoi Ashtami celebrated? Well, a long time ago, there was a family with seven sons, and they lived a happy life. But one day, just before the joyful Diwali festival, their mother decided to beautify their home. She went to the forest to collect soil for the renovation.
While digging, she accidentally took the life of a young lion cub with her spade. The lion's spirit cursed her, and within a year, all her seven sons passed away, leaving the family in immense sorrow.
Overwhelmed by grief, the parents embarked on a pilgrimage, intending to end their lives along the way. They walked until they could go no further and fell unconscious. Witnessing their plight, God took pity on them and spoke from the heavens, instructing them to return home. They were told to honour and care for the sacred cow and worship Goddess Ahoi, who was believed to protect all offspring.
The couple faithfully followed this divine guidance. When the auspicious day of Ahoi Ashtami arrived, the mother drew the face of the young lion and observed a fast in honour of Goddess Ahoi, sincerely repenting for her past mistake. The goddess, pleased by her devotion and remorse, appeared before her and blessed her with the gift of fertility, bringing joy back into their lives.
This is Ahoi Ashtami’s history, it tells us the power of devotion, forgiveness, and the protection of all living beings' offspring.
So, the answer to "Ahoi Ashtami 2023 mein kab hai?" Ahoi Ashtami in 2023 will be on Sunday, November 5th. It's a special day for Hindu mothers who fast for their children's well-being. They start fasting early in the morning and break it after seeing the stars in the evening sky.
According to the Ahoi Ashtami 2023 drik panchang, the fasting day falls on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik.
Let's explore the simple process and procedures followed during Ahoi Ashtami 2023:
Women begin the day with a morning bath and take a solemn pledge, called Sankalp, to fast for the welfare of their offspring. This vow involves abstaining from food and water throughout the day until they sight the stars or the moon, following their family tradition.
Before sunset, preparations for the Ahoi Ashtami Puja are made. Women draw an image of Goddess Ahoi on the wall, ensuring it has eight corners, as the festival is associated with the Ashtami Tithi. Alongside Ahoi Mata, images of Sei (hedgehog and its young ones) are drawn nearby.
The place of worship is sanctified with holy water, and Alpana (decorative floor art) is drawn. Wheat is spread on the floor or a wooden stool, and a water-filled Kalash (pot) is placed there.
During the Ahoi Ashtami fast process, a small earthen pot, preferably a Karwa, is placed on top of the Kalash and filled with water, then covered with its lid. The nozzle of the Karwa is blocked with the shoots of grass, often Sarai Seenka, a type of willow. Seven shoots of grass are offered to Ahoi Mata and Sei during the Puja. If Sarai grass shoots are unavailable, cotton buds can be used.
Food items used in the Puja include 8 Puri, 8 Pua, and Halwa. The ahoi ashtami vrat prasad is given to an elderly lady in the family or a Brahmin, along with some money.
The ideal time for the Puja is during the Sandhya time, just after sunset. Women, often alongside other female family members, perform the Ahoi Ashtami prayer with all the rituals. During the Puja, the story of Ahoi Mata is narrated. The legend often involves a devoted woman who, despite a curse for accidentally killing Sei's offspring, gets blessed with seven sons. Sei is also worshipped, and seven grass shoots and Halwa are offered to Sei.
In some communities, a silver Ahoi, known as Syau, is made and worshipped with Akshata (rice grains), Roli (vermilion), and milk. Later, it is worn as a pendant around the neck with the help of a thread, alongside two silver pearls. The Ahoi Ashtami Puja concludes with the Aarti of Ahoi Ashtami, following the traditional Ahoi Ashtami fast rules.
Before breaking the fast, women offer Argha to the stars or the moon, depending on their family tradition and the Ahoi Ashtami vrat procedure. The timing can be checked using Ahoi Ashtami Puja Timings. Karwa and Kalash are used for this ritual. The water from the large Kalash is used for the morning bath on Roop Chaudas, also known as Narak Chaturdashi.hoi Ashtami is observed as Krishnashtami by couples facing difficulties in conceiving, experiencing miscarriages, or longing for a male child. This Ahoi Ashtami fast process in Hindi tradition is deeply rooted in their beliefs. They take a dip in the Radha Kunda at Mathura, perform Puja, and offer Kushmanda on this day.
Pregnant women can also choose to observe this Ahoi Ashtami fast vidhi, but there are some important things to keep in mind during this special time:
Before deciding to fast during pregnancy, it's crucial to consult your doctor. They can assess your health and advise you on whether it's safe for you and your baby.
Ahoi Ashtami fasting typically involves abstaining from food and water throughout the day. However, for pregnant women, it's important to stay hydrated. You can consume fluids like milk, soup, fruit juices, and water during the fast.
Instead of going without any food, opt for nutritious options that provide essential nutrients for you and your baby. Include iron-rich foods in your diet to prevent weakness.
Pregnant women are more susceptible to feeling cold. If you decide to fast during Ahoi Ashtami and it's a chilly day, make sure to wear warm clothing to keep both you and your baby comfortable.
If you experience any discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or other unusual symptoms during the fast, don't hesitate to break your fast and seek medical attention if necessary. Your health and your baby's well-being should always come first.
Pregnancy is a time when your body is already working hard to support the growing baby. On the day of Ahoi Ashtami fast, try to rest as much as possible and avoid strenuous activities.
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During the Ahoi Ashtami fast, you can eat cooked food like Poori, Halwa, and Pua. People also offer grains like Jowar to the Goddess. They also tell the story of Ahoi Ashtami, called the Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha.
Yes, mothers can do the Ahoi Ashtami fast for their girl or boy children to pray for their well-being. This festival is about love for all children, not just based on gender.
The Ahoi Ashtami procedure involves an elderly lady telling the Ahoi Mata story while everyone holds seven wheat grains. After the Ahoi Ashtami procedure, they share food and coins with the children in the house.
No, during Ahoi Ashtami vrat, it's important not to drink water. This special fasting day is similar to Karwa Chauth and involves strict fasting, including abstaining from water.
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On Ashtami, it's best to eat pure vegetarian food and skip onion, garlic, alcohol, and meat. This helps maintain a Satvik Bhojan for the auspicious celebration.
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