Ahoi Ashtami 2023: Date, Time, Rituals And Vrat Katha

Ahoi Ashtami is an important day marked in the Hindi calendar. It is celebrated about eight days before Diwali on Krishna Paksha Ashtami. Devotees in various parts of the country observe fast on this day and perform veneration to please Gods and Goddesses.

Most venerations are dedicated to Mata Ahoi or Goddess Ahoi. She is believed to be a form of Goddess Lakshmi. Many people also refer to this festival as Ahoi Aathe. If you are celebrating it this year, know about the date, time, vrat katha, and rituals from our expert astrologer Radhakant Vats.

Ahoi Ashtami 2023 Date And Time

This year, Ahoi Ashtami will be celebrated on November 4. It will begin on Saturday at 12 am and end on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 3.19 am. Therefore, the expert suggested that the fast will be observed on November 5, 2023.

Ahoi Ashtami 2023 Shubh Muhurat

The most auspicious time to perform Ahoi Ashtami puja is 5.33 pm. This time will end at 6.52 pm. The expert said that since devotees break the fast after seeing the moon, the best time to perform the puja will be 5:58 pm.

Ahoi Ashtami Significance, Mythology, And Vrat Katha

Ahoi Ashtami is usually observed by mothers or parents for their kids. It is believed that Goddess Ahoi blesses the kids with longevity, prosperity, and good health.

There was a couple who had seven kids, all sons. A few days before Diwali, the woman wanted to decorate her house. She went to fetch some soil from the forest, where she accidentally killed a lioness’ cub with the spade she was using to dig the ground.

Enraged animals cursed her with a similar fate. The moneylender and his wife lost their seven sons within a year. The couple could not bear the loss of all their children and decided to take their life. They set on their last pilgrimage and continued walking until they fell unconscious on the ground.

Gods felt pity for the couple. An Akashvani or a prophecy was made in which the couple was asked to go back home, worship Goddess Ahoi, and serve the holy cow. The couple came to know that Goddess Ahoi protects the offspring of all living beings, including animals.

Following the divine command, the couple returned home and started serving the holy cow. When the day of Ahoi Ashtami arrived, the woman observed a fast, made an idol of the cub she accidentally killed, and sincerely worshiped Ahoi Mata while repenting for her sins. Impressed by the woman’s devotion, Goddess Ahoi blessed her with a boon of fertility to bear more kids.

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Krishnashtami Significance And Mythological Tale

Ahoi Ashtami is also called Krishnashtami. Women who struggle to have kids observe fast on this day, take a bath in Radha Kund in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, and perform the rituals of Ahoi Ashtami. It is believed that if they impress Goddess Kushmanda with their devotion, she might bless them with offspring.

Ahoi Ashtami Ritual (Puja Vidhi)

If you are observing fast on Ahoi Ashtami, you should wake up early and take a bath before sunrise. Many devotees take a pledge to abstain from drinking water the entire day.

When ready for the puja, draw an image of Ahoi Mata on a piece of paper or a clean wall. If you are drawing on the paper, paste it on a clean wall. You should also install the idols of Lord Ganesha and Kartikeya.

In the evening, worship all three Gods and Goddesses. You should light a lamp using ghee and offer bhog comprising halwa, puri, and sweets. Post this, you read the Vrat Katha, and later, end the fast by offering water to the moon.

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Women in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar observe this fast without drinking a sip of water or eating a morsel the entire day. They pray for the longevity and blessed life of their children. Happy Ahoi Ashtami to everyone celebrating.