Which mother is worshiped on the day of Ahoi Ashtami? Know to whom the fast is broken by offering Arghya on the day of Ahoi Ashtami.

Ahoi Ashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. On the day of Ahoi Ashtami, the Ahoi form of Goddess Parvati is worshipped. The literal meaning of Ahoi is – Mata who transforms the unlucky. Goddess Parvati is the Adishakti who averts misfortunes and untoward incidents in this entire universe, hence the Ahoi form of Mata Parvati is worshiped on this day. Ahoi Ashtami is a festival in which mothers fast and worship for the longevity of their children. Mothers celebrate it with great devotion and love. Ahoi Mata is pleased and bestows progress, happiness and prosperity on the children and protects them from all troubles. This fast is also similar to the fast of Karva Chauth. On this day, women observe Nirjala fast for the health, well-being and welfare of their sons. In Karva Chauth, the fast is broken by offering Arghya to the moon and in Ahoi Ashtami fast, the fast is broken by offering Arghya to the stars.

Method of worship :-

On the Ashtami day of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, women should wake up in the morning and do their daily routine and take bath etc. To worship Ahoi Mata, a picture of Sahi and his seven children is made on the wall with ocher along with their picture. At the time of puja, pray for the son's long life and happy life. After that take a pledge to observe Ahoi Ashtami fast. Worship Ahoi Mata. For the puja, keep the Karva used in Karva Chauth, a pot of water, a bowl of rice, radish, water chestnut etc. in front of the Mother Goddess. Listen to the story of Ahoi Ashtami fast with some rice and flowers in your hand. Remain on waterless fast the whole day. While worshiping in the evening, offer Arghya to the stars using water and rice from a pot. In Ahoi Puja, there is a rule to make the idol of Ahoi Mata of silver, but you can make the idol of any metal as per your capacity. Along with Ahoi Mata, Porcupine is also worshipped. Sahi is worshiped with Roli, Akshat, milk and rice.

Fast story of Ahoi Ashtami:-

There are many stories prevalent regarding the story of Ahoi Ashtami, one of them is - There lived a moneylender in a village. He had seven sons. Diwali was about to come, so the moneylender's wife went with a hoe to collect soil from the mine to paint the house. The moneylender started digging soil from the mine with a hoe. There was a den of porcupine in the same mine. As soon as he used a hoe to dig the soil, it hit the baby porcupine. Due to the injury caused by the hoe being very deep, the baby porcupine gave up his life there. Seeing this, the moneylender felt very sad and her heart was filled with pity. This mistake was committed unknowingly, but the moneylender had no other option but to repent. Then she returned from there without taking any soil. After a few days, one of his sons died, gradually all his seven sons died. She started feeling very sad and sad. After this she narrated the porcupine incident to the elderly women of her village. Then an elderly woman said that by telling this you have destroyed half of your sins. To destroy the remaining sins, fast on Ahoi Ashtami Vrat. By the grace of Mother, all your troubles will go away and you will attain happiness.

Writer: - Ruchi Tewari