Celebration of Motherhood,
Motherhood, the most beautiful and exclusive experience for a woman on this earth. The joy of giving birth and seeing the part of self growing in front is indescribable and can only be felt by a mother. This is a relationship without which nobody would have ever experienced life. The child has a special bond with mother and nothing can replace or substitute the motherly love in this world.
Mothers observe fast for a day and do not eat anything but many mothers do not take even a drop of water till evening when stars are visible in the sky. Later in the evening, mother narrates a traditional story associated with this festival to all her children. She prays for the health, well being and long life of her children and then worship stars by offering water and some special homemade sweets, and with that she breaks her fast.
How come it is related to Personal Development?
Motherhood is a symbol of emotions, sacrifice, patience, affection, care and love. These are not just feminine or motherly qualities but forms the foundation of strong individual. In our society, men are not encouraged to be emotional and caring, simply because these qualities are considered as feminine qualities. But the fact is each one of us, irrespective of gender, deep down has a craving to develop these qualities because it brings peace, harmony and deeply felt satisfaction to self.
We all, irrespective of gender, must strive to develop these qualities as an important part of our personal development journey because until we learn to love others selflessly, we cannot become strong individuals. In order to make this world a nurturing place for all, these are the qualities that urgently needed. Just celebrate Ahoi Ashtami in a perfect spirit of personal development by embracing the motherly qualities in you, they already exists in you, you just need to uncover them.
For the long life of children Ahoi Ashtami is celebrated on Kartik Krishna Ashtami falling at Pradosh (evening). If Kartik Krishna Ashtami falls on two days but falls or does not fall at Pradoshkaal then it is celebrated on Second day otherwise first day.
Once there lived a woman along with her seven sons in a village, which was located near a dense forest. Diwali was fast approaching and she decided to decorate her house. For this she decided to go to the forest and gather soil. While digging for soil near a den, she accidentally killed a lion cub. She felt remorse and sad. But as she could not do anything she took the soil and returned home. But in a year’s time all her seven sons disappeared and they were considered dead by the villagers. People thought they might have been carried away by wild animals from the jungle. The mother of the seven sons realized that all this was due to the accidental death of the cub for which she was responsible.
She soon told the villagers about the sin she had committed and they advised her to observe puja and fast dedicated to Ahoi Ashtami Bhagavati. The mother draws the face of a cub and observes a fast and puja on the Ashtami day before Diwali. She repents and her tears washes away the sin she committed. The poor woman’s prayers were heard by the Goddess and soon all her seven sons return home safely.
From that day onwards, mothers in the region pray and fast for the well being of their children on Ahoi Ashtami day.
"Om Ahoi Devyai Namah"
Determination of Date
For the long life of children Ahoi Ashtami is celebrated on Kartik Krishna Ashtami falling at Pradosh (evening). If Kartik Krishna Ashtami falls on two days but falls or does not fall at Pradoshkaal then it is celebrated on Second day otherwise first day.
अहोई अष्टमी व्रत उदयकालिक एवं प्रदोषव्यापिनी अष्टमी को ही किया जाता है
In 2018, Ahoi Ashtami is on Wednesday October 31st
Sankalp
On the day of fasting, after taking morning bath women should take the pledge, which is called Sankalp, to keep the fast for the wellbeing of their children. It is also recited during Sankalp that the fasting would be without any food or the water and the fast would be broken after sighting the stars or the moon according to their family tradition.
Puja Preparation
During Sayankal i.e. before the sunset, Puja preparations should be done. Women should draw the image of Goddess Ahoi on the wall. Any image of Ahoi Mata used for the Puja should have Ashtha Koshthak (अष्ठ कोष्ठक) i.e. eight corners due to the festival being associated with Ashtami Tithi. Along with Goddess Ahoi the images of Sei (सेई) (i.e. hedgehog and its children) should also be drawn near to the Goddess. Sei is a spiny mammal from the legend of Ahoi Ashtami. If drawing image on the wall is not feasible then big Wallpaper of Ahoi Ashtami Puja can also be used. Most Puja calendars also depict seven sons and daughter-in-laws from the legend of Ahoi Ashtami.
After that the place of worship is sanctified with holy water and Alpana is drawn. After spreading wheat on the floor or on the wooden stool, one water-filled Kalash should be kept at the place of worship. The mouth of the Kalash should be covered with an earthen lid.
A small earthen pot preferably Karwa is kept on the top of the Kalash. Karwa is filled with the water and covered with its lid. The nozzle of the Karwa is blocked with the shoots of the grass. The commonly used shoot is known as Sarai Seenka (सरई सींक) which is a type of willow. The seven shoots of the grass is also offered to Ahoi Mata and Sei during Puja. The shoot of Sarai is sold during the festival especially in the small towns of India. If shoot of the grass is not available then cotton buds can be used.
The food items which are used in Puja include 8 Puri, 8 Pua and Halwa. These food items are given to some elderly lady in the family or the Brahmin after adding some money
Ahoi Mata PujaThe best time to perform Puja is during Sandhya time just after sunset. During Puja Ahoi Mata is worshipped with all rituals.
Usually women perform Ahoi Ashtami Puja along with the other female members of the family. During Puja women narrate the story of Ahoi Mata. There are several versions of Ahoi Ashtami legend but most of them describe how female devotee of Ahoi Mata got blessed by seven sons even after getting cursed for accidently killing the offsprings of Sei. Sei is also worshipped along with Ahoi Mata and seven grass shoots along with Halwa is offered to Sei.
In some communities, for the occasion of Ahoi Ashtami, Ahoi of silver is also made. Silver Ahoi is known as Syau (स्याउ) and worshipped with Akshata, Roli and the milk during the Puja. Later it is worn in the neck as a pendant with the help of a thread along with two silver pearls.
After that the place of worship is sanctified with holy water and Alpana is drawn. After spreading wheat on the floor or on the wooden stool, one water-filled Kalash should be kept at the place of worship. The mouth of the Kalash should be covered with an earthen lid.
A small earthen pot preferably Karwa is kept on the top of the Kalash. Karwa is filled with the water and covered with its lid. The nozzle of the Karwa is blocked with the shoots of the grass. The commonly used shoot is known as Sarai Seenka (सरई सींक) which is a type of willow. The seven shoots of the grass is also offered to Ahoi Mata and Sei during Puja. The shoot of Sarai is sold during the festival especially in the small towns of India. If shoot of the grass is not available then cotton buds can be used.
The food items which are used in Puja include 8 Puri, 8 Pua and Halwa. These food items are given to some elderly lady in the family or the Brahmin after adding some money
Ahoi Mata PujaThe best time to perform Puja is during Sandhya time just after sunset. During Puja Ahoi Mata is worshipped with all rituals.
Usually women perform Ahoi Ashtami Puja along with the other female members of the family. During Puja women narrate the story of Ahoi Mata. There are several versions of Ahoi Ashtami legend but most of them describe how female devotee of Ahoi Mata got blessed by seven sons even after getting cursed for accidently killing the offsprings of Sei. Sei is also worshipped along with Ahoi Mata and seven grass shoots along with Halwa is offered to Sei.
In some communities, for the occasion of Ahoi Ashtami, Ahoi of silver is also made. Silver Ahoi is known as Syau (स्याउ) and worshipped with Akshata, Roli and the milk during the Puja. Later it is worn in the neck as a pendant with the help of a thread along with two silver pearls.
Ahoi Ashtami Vrat Katha – The story listened while fasting on Ahoi Ashtami puja day
Once there lived a woman along with her seven sons in a village, which was located near a dense forest. Diwali was fast approaching and she decided to decorate her house. For this she decided to go to the forest and gather soil. While digging for soil near a den, she accidentally killed a lion cub. She felt remorse and sad. But as she could not do anything she took the soil and returned home. But in a year’s time all her seven sons disappeared and they were considered dead by the villagers. People thought they might have been carried away by wild animals from the jungle. The mother of the seven sons realized that all this was due to the accidental death of the cub for which she was responsible.
She soon told the villagers about the sin she had committed and they advised her to observe puja and fast dedicated to Ahoi Ashtami Bhagavati. The mother draws the face of a cub and observes a fast and puja on the Ashtami day before Diwali. She repents and her tears washes away the sin she committed. The poor woman’s prayers were heard by the Goddess and soon all her seven sons return home safely.
From that day onwards, mothers in the region pray and fast for the well being of their children on Ahoi Ashtami day.
Mantra
"Om Ahoi Devyai Namah"
Aarti Ahoi Mata Ji Ki
jay ahoi mata, jay ahoi mata|
tumko nisdin dhyavat har vishnu vidhata |
jay ahoi mata ||
brahmani, rudrani, kamla tu hi hai jagmata|
surya-chandrama dhyavat narad rishi gata |
jay ahoi mata ||
mata rup niranjan sukh-sampatti data|
jo koi tumko dhyavat nit mangal pata |
jay ahoi mata ||
tu hi patal basanti, tu hi hai shubhdata|
karma-prabhav prakashak jagnidhi se trata |
jay ahoi mata ||
jis ghar tharo vasa vahi men gun ata|
kar n sake soi kar le man nahin dhadkata |
jay ahoi mata ||
tum bin sukh n hove n koi putra pata|
khan-pan ka vaibhav tum bin nahin ata |
jay ahoi mata ||
shubh gun sundar yukta kshir nidhi jata|
ratan chaturdash toku koi nahin pata |
jay ahoi mata ||
shri ahoi man ki arti jo koi gata|
ur umang ati upje pap utar jata |
jay ahoi mata ||
tumko nisdin dhyavat har vishnu vidhata |
jay ahoi mata ||
brahmani, rudrani, kamla tu hi hai jagmata|
surya-chandrama dhyavat narad rishi gata |
jay ahoi mata ||
mata rup niranjan sukh-sampatti data|
jo koi tumko dhyavat nit mangal pata |
jay ahoi mata ||
tu hi patal basanti, tu hi hai shubhdata|
karma-prabhav prakashak jagnidhi se trata |
jay ahoi mata ||
jis ghar tharo vasa vahi men gun ata|
kar n sake soi kar le man nahin dhadkata |
jay ahoi mata ||
tum bin sukh n hove n koi putra pata|
khan-pan ka vaibhav tum bin nahin ata |
jay ahoi mata ||
shubh gun sundar yukta kshir nidhi jata|
ratan chaturdash toku koi nahin pata |
jay ahoi mata ||
shri ahoi man ki arti jo koi gata|
ur umang ati upje pap utar jata |
jay ahoi mata ||
