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While on Karwa Chauth, women fast for the longevity of their husbands, they fast for the good health and long life of their children on Ahoi Ashtami. Much like Karwa Chauth, people wake up early to bathe, eat something before sunrise, and visit temples to seek the blessings of Gods and Goddesses. Many avoid eating or drinking anything until the moonrise.
The fast is observed on the Ashtami tithi of Kartik Krishna Paksha and mothers pray to Ahoi Mata. It is not compulsory for every woman to observe nirjala fast, but many believe that the Goddess will bless their kids with good health, happiness, and prosperity in life.
Ahoi Ashtami 2024: Date And Time
Ahoi Ashtami will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (according to Drik Panchang), around eight days before Diwali. The Ashtami tithi will begin on October 23, 2024, at 12:48pm and end on October 24, 2024, at 1:28pm.
The puja muhurat is between 5:42pm and 6:59pm. If you break fast after seeing stars, you can perform the rituals at 6:07pm, but if you break the fast after the moonrise, the rituals will begin at 11:49pm.
Ahoi Ashtami Significance
In ancient times there existed a moneylender who had a daughter and seven healthy sons (all married). His daughter and daughters-in-law once went into the woods to collect mud for plastering the house, but accidentally, the daughter killed a baby of Syahu who cursed her with infertility. She added that if she would conceive by any miracle, she would lose her children within seven days of birth.
She asked her sisters-in-law to get the curse, but only the youngest one agreed. Whenever she gave birth to a baby, they died in seven days. The inconsolable mother went to a priest seeking advice who suggested she serve Surhi cow. When the cow was pleased with her service, she took her to Syahu where the woman saved one of Garuda’s children from being killed by a snake. Hearing the heroic tale, Garuda took her to Syahu Mata who blessed her with seven healthy children.
Traditional Food Prepared On Ahoi Ashtami
Much like any other festival, a few traditional dishes are associated with the celebration of Ahoi Ashtami. If you will be observing the fast this year, here is everything you can make at home or purchase from shops.
Halwa
Sooji ka halwa is the best and easiest to make at home. First, roast semolina in a pan with ghee. Once it releases aroma, add water and sugar. As soon as the sugar dissolves, add crushed cardamom and chopped dry fruits. You can garnish the halwa with a few saffron strands.
Kheer
Kheer is a milk-based dessert which is often offered to Gods and Goddesses by Hindus. Most people make rice kheer on this day. Small grain rice is cooked in boiling milk. Sugar, dry fruits, saffron, and cardamom is added later for flavour. After offering it as bhog to Ahoi Mata, the kheer is distributed among family members.
Gulgule
Gulgule is a regional dish prepared using wheat flour. First, sugar is dissolved in water. Once you have a sweet mixture, add flour in it to make a runny paste. Heat ghee in a kadhai and heat it, meanwhile, sprinkle fennel and sesame seeds in it. Use a spoon to drop this mixture in hot ghee. Take gulgule out after they turn brown. Offer them to Ahoi Mata and distribute as prasad.
