Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha and Puja Vidhi: Women and mothers who wish to conceive, observe a day-long fast on the Ashtami Tithi, Krishna Paksha of Karthik month, i.e. eighth day during the waning phase of the Lunar cycle in Kartik month as per the Hindu calendar.
This is done to pray for their children or to be blessed with children. Ahoi Ashtami Vrat is observed on the fourth day after Karwa Chauth.
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha
There are various versions of the Ahoi Ashtami Katha and here is the most popular one among them.
A couple had seven sons. One fine day, the wife went to the forest to bring mud/clay. As she tended the land with a sharp tool, she accidentally killed an animal’s baby. Then, the animal cursed the woman and said she would lose all her children and suffer from separation.
The animal’s curse soon becomes reality, and the woman lost all her sons.
Subsequently, when the couple went on a pilgrimage to seek forgiveness for the sin, a divine prophecy asked the couple to worship the cow and pray to Ahoi Mata for her blessings. Subsequently, they prayed to Ahoi Mata and also performed all the rituals and were soon blessed with a child.
Also, Check:
Ahoi Ashtami 2024 Date, Shubh Muhurat, Significance, and Puja Rituals
Ahoi Ashtami Puja Vidhi
- Wake up early with a Sankalpa
- Couples who wish to have a baby may take a dip in the Radha Kund, Mathura during sunrise, pray to the Kushmanda form of Goddess Durga and observe a day-long fast
- Paint an Ashtakoshtak (eight-edged) image of Ahoi Mata and a lion cub with geru (orange soil) on a wall or use Mata’s photo for performing the Puja
- Place a Kalash and then keep a Karwa (earthen pitcher filled with water) on top of the Kalash
- Pray to Ahoi Mata and seek her blessings
- Offer Pushpam, Gandham, Deepam, Dhoop, and Naivedyam to Mata
- Read the Vrat Katha and perform the Aarti
- Offer Arghya to the moon/stars and break your fast after sighting the stars o wait for the moon to rise
1 Comment
Pingback: Kati Bihu 2022 - Date, History, Significance, and Celebrations