Ahoi Ashtami 2021

Ahoi Ashtami is a Hindu festival that is mainly observed by mothers for the well-being of their children. It is observed on the Ashtami tithi (8th day) of the Krishna Paksha (the dark fortnight of moon) during the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar. In the Amanta calendar, as followed in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and some southern states, it is observed during the Hindu month of Ashwin. It corresponds to the months of mid-October to November in the English calendar. Ahoi Ashtami is observed 8 days before the Diwali celebrations and four days after the festival of Karwa Chauth.

Ahoi Ashtami 2021 is on October 28

Just like Karwa Chauth, the celebrations of Ahoi Ashtami are very widespread in the whole of northern India. This day is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Ahoi or Ahoi Mata. Ahoi Ashtami vrat is observed only by Mothers, as the vrat is kept for the long life and well-being of their children and also to be blessed with more children.

Rituals during Ahoi Ashtami

• On Ahoi Ashtami, the mother of the boy observes a strict fast all through the day for their child’s well-being. They spend the day even without drinking a drop of water. The fast is broken after sighting the stars, during twilight. In some places, the observer of the Ahoi Ashtami fast breaks their fast after sighting the moon, however, it might be difficult as the moon rises late on the Ahoi Ashtami night.
• Women get up early and take a bath. Following this, they take a ‘sankalp’ that is a pledge to keep the fast for the whole day for their children’s well-being. The preparations for the puja are done before the sunset.
• Women draw the image of Ahoi Mata on a wall. The image drawn should have ‘Ashtha Koshthak’ or eight corners. Along with other images, the picture of ‘Sei’ (hedgehog with its children) is drawn close to Goddess Ahoi. If the image cannot be drawn then the wallpaper of Ahoi Ashtami can also be used. The image also depicts the seven sons with the daughters-in-law as mentioned in the Ahoi Ashtami Katha.
• The place of worship is cleaned and an ‘Alpana’ is drawn. An earthen pot known as ‘karwa’ is filled with water and covered with a lid and kept near the place of worship. The nozzle of this karwa is blocked with a special grass known as ‘Sarai Seenka’. This shoot of grass is also offered to Ahoi Mata during the puja rituals.
• The actual puja of Ahoi Ashtami is performed during sandhya time, that is, just after sunset. All the women in the family get together for the puja. After the rituals, the women listen to the Ahoi Mata vrat katha. In some communities, the devotees use Ahoi made from silver. This silver form is known as ‘Syau’ and is worshipped with milk, roli, and akshata during the puja. After the puja, this ‘Syau’ is woven in a thread with two silver pearls and worn by women around their necks.
• Special food offerings are prepared that include puri, halwa, and pua. 8 of all these are offered to the Goddess and then given to some elderly lady or even a Brahmin. The puja is terminated by performing the ‘Ahoi Mata aarti’ at the end.

Significance of Ahoi Ashtami

Ahoi Ashtami fast is undertaken by mothers of boys for the long life and happiness of their sons. They worship Goddess Ahoi on this day with full devotion and fervor. On this day women observe a fast for their sons. The time for sighting the stars and moonrise can be seen in the Ahoi Ashtami Puja timings in the Hindu panchang.

It is believed that women who face miscarriage or have problems in conceiving should perform the Ahoi Ashtami puja and vrat to get blessed with a baby boy. For this reason, it is also known as ‘Krishnashtami’. This day is therefore significant for childless couples. On this occasion, couples take a holy dip in the ‘Radha Kunda’ at Mathura. Devotees from all over the country come and throng the place during this time.