Table of Contents
Ahoi Ashtami 2024: The holy festival of long life and happiness and prosperity of children
Ahoi Ashtami 2024: The holy festival of long life and happiness and prosperity of children
The festival of Ahoi Ashtami is being celebrated with great pomp across India on 24 October 2024. On this holy day, mothers observe fast and worship to wish for long life, good health and prosperity of their children. This festival is especially popular in the states of North India and is celebrated just four days after Karva Chauth and a few days before Diwali. On this day, mothers observe the fast of Ahoi Mata with devotion and dedication and break the fast in the evening by offering Arghya to the moon and stars.
Importance of Ahoi Ashtami
The importance of Ahoi Ashtami is not only religious but also familial and cultural. This festival is a symbol of selfless love, sacrifice and sacrifice of mothers towards their children. It is believed in Hinduism that by worshipping Ahoi Mata on this day, all the troubles in the life of children are destroyed and they are happy, healthy and long-lived.
Vratti women fast on this day for the progress and welfare of their children. This festival also teaches them patience and tolerance, because fasting without consuming water for the whole day shows the deep devotion of mothers towards their children.
Ahoi Ashtami Puja Vidhi and Traditions
Women fasting on Ahoi Ashtami fast throughout the day and worship Mata Ahoi in the evening. There is a special method of this worship which women have been following for generations.
Vrat Preparation and Resolution
Vratti women take a resolution to worship after taking a bath in the morning.
A picture or picture of Mata Ahoi is made at a sacred place in the house and installed on the wall. This picture shows the form of Ahoi Mata with seven or eight stars. Some women also make a picture of the mother on the wall with rice flour.
A chowki is kept at the place of worship, on which water, fruits, flowers, sweets, incense, lamps and raw threads dedicated to Mata Ahoi are offered.
For the long life of children, women use raw cotton thread and offer it during the worship of stars.
Method of worship
Invocation of Ahoi Mata: During the worship, fasting women meditate on Ahoi Mata and pray to her for the happiness and prosperity of their children.
Listening to the story: There is also a provision to listen to the mythological story of Ahoi Mata in the worship of Ahoi Ashtami. Listening to it gives the virtuous result of the fast and the blessings of the mother are received.
Arghya to the moon and stars: At the end of the worship, women offer arghya to the moon and stars. In some places, there is a practice of offering arghya only to the stars.
Paran of the fast: After worship and arghya, women break their fast with fruits or sweets and take prasad with the family.
Blessings of elders: After the puja, women seek blessings from the elders of the house and pray for the prosperity of the family.
Mythological tale of Ahoi Ashtami
There is a popular mythological tale of Ahoi Ashtami, which explains the importance of this festival further.
The tale of the porcupine (deer)
In ancient times, a woman in a village was preparing for Diwali for her family. She decided to go to the forest and dig soil, so that she could make toys and earthen pots to decorate her house. While digging the soil, her spade accidentally hit a porcupine’s child and it died.
The woman was extremely saddened by this incident and she started worshiping Mata Ahoi to atone for this sin. After some time, by the grace of Mata Ahoi, her child got long life and happiness. Since then, women started worshiping and fasting for the safety and happy life of their children.
Ahoi Ashtami Shubh Muhurat 2024
This year the puja muhurat of Ahoi Ashtami will be from 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm.
Moonrise time: 8:10 pm
Worshiping during this muhurat is considered extremely fruitful. If a woman is unable to worship at this time, she can also offer arghya after seeing the star.
Scientific and cultural aspects of Ahoi Ashtami fast
The fast of Ahoi Ashtami is not limited to religious belief only, but it also has scientific and cultural aspects.
Patience and self-control: Fasting throughout the day not only shows love and loyalty towards children, but also promotes patience and self-control.
Family unity : In this festival, there is a tradition of taking food and prasad together with the family after the puja, which increases unity and love in the family.
Self-empowerment of women: Women support and inspire each other while observing the fast, which increases the sense of collectivity and mutual cooperation.
Connection to the environment : Natural materials such as fruits, flowers, and soil are used in the puja, which also shows our responsibility towards the environment.
Other beliefs and traditions associated with Ahoi Ashtami
From a religious point of view:
The fast of Ahoi Ashtami is not only observed for children, but also for the prosperity of the family and to get rid of the problems in life.
Achievement of auspicious results in the future: It is said that worshipping Mata Ahoi on this day brings the happiness of children in the future.
Special for women with sons: In many places, it is believed that women who are children must observe this fast.
Some interesting facts related to Ahoi Ashtami
The picture of Ahoi Mata is often made on the wall of the house, which is a part of the tradition going on since ancient times.
Many women also worship jewelry, as it is considered a special way to please Ahoi Mata.
In some places, women also go to the temple of Ahoi Mata and worship and pray for the well-being of their children.
Message and Significance of Ahoi Ashtami
Ahoi Ashtami is not just a religious ritual, but also a symbol of motherhood and the spirit of family. This festival teaches us that every difficulty in life can be overcome with love, sacrifice and loyalty. It symbolizes the prayers and faith of mothers that their children remain successful and happy in every situation.
Conclusion:
The holy festival of Ahoi Ashtami and its wide-reaching significance
The festival of Ahoi Ashtami is a shining example of the greatness of motherhood and the unconditional love of a mother for her child. This festival is not only a symbol of religious faith, but also a social and cultural heritage that has been passed on from generation to generation. In today’s era when separation and busyness is increasing in families, the importance of such festivals increases even more. It provides us with an opportunity to unite, spend time with each other and strengthen family relationships.
The fast of Ahoi Ashtami gives mothers an important opportunity to seek their grace and protection for their children. On this day, women fasting not only wish for the longevity and prosperity of their children, but also pray for the well-being of all their family members. This festival teaches women the lesson of self-control and patience, which is extremely necessary to face the challenges of life.
Apart from this, Ahoi Ashtami also teaches us that child happiness is not limited to physical and material aspects, but it also lies in our mutual relationships, harmony and family unity. When mothers fast on this day to protect their children, it is not just a religious act but a collective prayer that seeks to bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of the children.
The puja and rituals performed on Ahoi Ashtami remind us how important faith and belief are in life. This festival gives us the message to follow and respect the traditions of our ancestors. Along with this, it also showcases the role and contribution of women in society. Women are not only the axis of the family, but they also constantly work for the well-being of their children and the community.
Thus, the festival of Ahoi Ashtami reminds us of the true values of life. It teaches us that true happiness and prosperity lies not only in material resources, but in our mutual relationships, family unity and love and respect for each other. This festival inspires us to give proper guidance to our children, teach them to respect their culture and traditions, and always follow the path of truth and morality in life.
On this Ahoi Ashtami, let us all take our love and sacrifice for our children to a new height. We must be determined to bring a positive change in our family and society. When we pray to Mata Ahoi together, we will not only bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of our children, but will also spread a new consciousness and positivity in the society.
Finally, this festival of Ahoi Ashtami teaches us that there is no substitute for the power of motherhood, love for children and unity of the family. This festival inspires us to make our children a good human being, so that they are not only successful in their lives, but also become responsible citizens towards the society. We should take full advantage of this holy occasion, celebrate it with our family and understand the specialty of this day.
Best wishes to all mothers on Ahoi Ashtami 2024! 🌼🙏