Introduction

India is a country of festivals, and one of these festivals is Ahoi Ashtami. A fast that a mother keeps for the long life and happy life of her children. Today, let us know in detail about the importance of this auspicious festival, its story, worship method and Ahoi Mata Aarti.

Ahoi Mata Aarti

जय अहोई माता,
जय अहोई माता ।
तुमको निसदिन ध्यावत,
हर विष्णु विधाता ॥
ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥

ब्रह्माणी, रुद्राणी, कमला,
तू ही है जगमाता ।
सूर्य-चन्द्रमा ध्यावत,
नारद ऋषि गाता ॥
ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥

माता रूप निरंजन,
सुख-सम्पत्ति दाता ।
जो कोई तुमको ध्यावत,
नित मंगल पाता ॥
ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥

तू ही पाताल बसंती,
तू ही है शुभदाता ।
कर्म-प्रभाव प्रकाशक,
जगनिधि से त्राता ॥
ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥

जिस घर थारो वासा,
वाहि में गुण आता ।
कर न सके सोई कर ले,
मन नहीं घबराता ॥
ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥

तुम बिन सुख न होवे,
न कोई पुत्र पाता ।
खान-पान का वैभव,
तुम बिन नहीं आता ॥
ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥

शुभ गुण सुंदर युक्ता,
क्षीर निधि जाता ।
रतन चतुर्दश तोकू,
कोई नहीं पाता ॥
ॐ जय अहोई माता ॥

श्री अहोई माँ की आरती,
जो कोई गाता ।
उर उमंग अति उपजे,
पाप उतर जाता ॥

ॐ जय अहोई माता,
मैया जय अहोई माता ।

Why the name “Ahoi Ashtami”?

The word “Ahoi” means ‘to avoid misfortune’ and ‘Ashtami’ means ‘eighth day’. This fast is also called Radhashtami.

Puja material

The following materials are required for the worship of Ahoi Mata Aarti:

• Ahoi Mata’s picture or statue
• roli, mouli, rice
• incense, lamp, camphor
• water pot, get it done
• sweets, fruits, flowers
• puja post
• Ahoi (special type of food for making puja prasad)
• photo of syahu and his children
• Bayana (donation to the pandit or mother-in-law at the end of the puja)

Method of worship

On Ahoi Ashtami, women take food a day before and keep a waterless fast for the whole day.

1. Bath etc.:  Take bath in the morning and wear clean clothes.
2. Resolution:  First of all resolution is made. The fasting person should take a resolution with the name of his child.
3. Worship of Ahoi Mata:  Paint the image of Ahoi Mata and Syahu’s children with ocher on a wall, or install a picture of Ahoi Mata. Worship them duly.
4. Katha Shravan:  Listen or read the story of Ahoi Mata.
5. Worship like Karva Chauth:  Like Karva Chauth, break the fast only after looking at the stars and offering Arghya on the day of Ashtami. At some places, the fast is completed by offering Arghya to the Moon.

Benefits of Ahoi Mata Aarti

• According to Indian tradition, observing fast on Ahoi Ashtami leads to the birth of a child.
• The children remain happy and healthy.
• By observing this fast, patience, restraint and tolerance increases in women.
• There is happiness and peace in the house.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Who is worshiped on Ahoi Ashtami? Answer: On Ahoi Ashtami, devotees worship Ahoi Mata, who is considered to be a form of Goddess Parvati.
• What to do if stars are not visible? Answer: It is believed that if stars are not visible, women can break their fast by drinking water from the hands of an elderly man in their family.
• Can unmarried girls also observe this fast? Answer: Although traditionally Ahoi Ashtami is observed only by women with children, unmarried girls can also observe this fast for a good groom.
• How to break Ahoi Ashtami fast? Answer: After offering Arghya to the stars, women break their fast by offering Halwa, Puri or Ahoi (special dish).

Experiences of some devotees related to Ahoi Mata Aarti

In India, there are many miraculous stories associated with Ahoi Ashtami. This festival is a witness to the unwavering devotion of the faithful devotees and the blessings of Ahoi Mata. Some of the devotees share their experiences:

• Reena from Mumbai says, “I did not have a child for many years. When I started observing the Ahoi Ashtami fast, Mother blessed me and blessed me with a healthy son.”
• Seema ji from Amritsar says , “My son was often ill. Ever since I started observing the fast of Ahoi Mata, his health remains very good.”

Conclusion

The festival of Ahoi Ashtami is about the unbreakable bond between mother and child. This fast reflects the mother’s selfless love, care and sacrifice towards her children. This festival provides an opportunity to mothers to express their gratitude towards their children and pray for their long life and happy life.