Mumbai: Ahoi Ashtami is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to the well-being and prosperity of children. Mothers observe a strict fast on this day, praying for the long life and success of their offspring. The fast is held on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) in the Kartik month. It is considered one of the most challenging fasts, as women go without food or water for the entire day, demonstrating immense devotion. The day holds special spiritual importance, especially for families seeking blessings for their children’s bright future.
On Ahoi Ashtami, women worship the Ahoi form of Goddess Parvati, symbolising maternal love and protection. The fast is broken only after offering prayers to the stars and the Moon, making it a unique ritual in contrast to other fasts like Karva Chauth, where prayers are offered directly to the Moon. The observance of this fast is deeply rooted in the belief that Goddess Ahoi blesses children with health, longevity, and success, making it a day of reverence, hope, and devotion for mothers across Hindu households.
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Date in 2024
Ahoi Ashtami 2024 will be observed on Thursday, 24th October 2024. The Ashtami Tithi begins at 1:18 AM on 24th October and ends at 1:58 AM on 25th October. The fast is observed during Udaya Tithi, making 24th October the official day for Ahoi Ashtami Vrat.
Ahoi Ashtami 2024: Puja Muhurat
The auspicious time for Ahoi Ashtami puja, also called Puja Muhurat, falls between 5:42 PM and 6:59 PM on 24th October 2024. This twilight period is considered ideal for offering prayers to Goddess Ahoi, the divine protector of children.
Puja time:
- Start Time: 5:42 PM
- End Time: 6:59 PM
- Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes
During this time, mothers pray to Goddess Ahoi for the well-being and success of their children, offering flowers, sweets, and other sacred items.
Rituals of Ahoi Ashtami Vrat
On Ahoi Ashtami, mothers offer their prayers to the Ahoi form of Goddess Parvati, who symbolises maternal love and protection. The vrat (fast) is challenging, as it involves refraining from food and water for the entire day. The fast is broken only after offering Arghya (water offering) to the stars.
Unlike Karva Chauth, where the Moon is worshipped, Ahoi Ashtami’s unique ritual involves making the water offering to the stars. There is a belief that by offering prayers to countless stars in the sky, the family will be blessed with countless children, or the existing children’s lives will flourish just as stars shine brightly in the night sky. Women pray to Goddess Parvati, asking her to bless their children so that their futures remain as bright as the stars.
Additionally, it is believed that all the stars represent the children of Goddess Ahoi. Therefore, the fast is not considered complete until Arghya has been offered to the stars.
Significance of Ahoi Ashtami Vrat
Ahoi Ashtami is a day of immense devotion and discipline. Mothers observe a day-long fast without consuming any food or water, praying with full dedication for the longevity and prosperity of their children. In the evening, they offer their prayers to Goddess Ahoi, followed by offering Arghya to the stars, after which the fast is broken.
Key Beliefs:
- It is believed that Goddess Ahoi grants blessings for a long and prosperous life for children to those who observe the fast with utmost devotion.
- The fast is also believed to protect children from negative influences and hardships in life.
Ahoi Ashtami is an important occasion for mothers, who undertake this strict fast out of love and devotion for their children’s well-being. With prayers, offerings, and rituals, this day holds a special place in the hearts of those who follow the Hindu faith. The offering of Arghya to the stars symbolises the eternal bond between mothers and their children, as they seek divine blessings for their offspring’s bright and successful future.
(Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on religious beliefs and practices. News9 Live does not endorse or promote any religious beliefs. Readers are advised to follow the practices based on their personal beliefs and discretion.)
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