Kartik Krishna Paksha is full of Tithi festivals in which Karva Chauth and Ahoi Ashtami are two special festivals celebrated by women. Celebrating them, women observe fasts in classical and folk traditions and also give them the form of festivals through cultural programmes. While both these festivals are filled with the feeling of welfare of the family, the ancient tradition of considering mother-in-law’s feet as a pilgrimage site and taking blessings from her is still visible. Ashtami of Kartik Krishna Paksha is called Ahoi or eight. This fast falls exactly seven weeks before Diwali. It is said that this fast is observed by women with children. In other words, it can be said that the fast of Ahoi Ashtami is observed for the welfare of small children, in which along with the picture of Ahoi Devi, the pictures of Sei and Sei’s children are also made and worshiped.

The women who have to observe that fast keep fast throughout the day. In the evening, with devotion, the effigy of Ahoi is painted on the wall. Near the same pupil, Sei and Sei children are also made. Nowadays, colored picture papers made of Ahoi are also available in the market. She can also be brought and worshiped. In the evening, when the stars start rising after sunset, the worship of Ahoi Mata begins. Before the puja, clean the ground, fill the puja area, burn it in a pot and place it like a kalash on a corner of the post and worship with devotion. Wish for the welfare of children. Also, listen to the fast story of Ahoi Ashtami with devotion. One special thing in this is that for worship, mothers also make a silver Ahoi, which is also called Syau in colloquial language and special worship is done by putting two silver beads in it. is done. Just as a pendant is attached to a necklace, similarly silver Ahoi should be inserted and silver beads should be threaded in the string. Then worship Ahoi with roli, rice, milk and rice. Make Satiya in a pot filled with water, keep the pudding and money in a bowl and after listening to the story of Ahoi Mata, take seven grains of wheat and garland Ahoi. Wear it around your neck, take out the bayana you have kept and give it to your mother-in-law after touching her feet. After this, break the fast by offering water to the moon and eating food. Not only this, after Diwali, take the garland worn on this fast from the neck of any auspicious Ahoi, offer it with jaggery and sprinkle it with water and keep it with the head bowed. Break the fast by applying Roli Tilak to your mother-in-law and touching her feet. This festival reflects the unbreakable love between mother and child. On this day, mothers observe strict fast as per the rules for the welfare, love and success of their children. On the day of Ahoi Ashtami, first of all take bath in Brahma Muhurta and take a fast resolution. While taking the vow of fasting, say, ‘Oh Mother! I am observing this fast for the long life and happy life of my child. Hey mother! Keep my children happy and healthy.

Ahoi Ashtami story,,

Once upon a time there lived a moneylender in a city. He had seven sons, daughters-in-law and one daughter. A few days before Diwali, his daughter along with her sisters-in-law went to collect clean mud from the forest for plastering the house. While digging out soil in the forest, a Syahu child died due to a trowel. Saddened by this incident, Syahu’s mother cursed the moneylender’s daughter to never become a mother. Due to the effect of that curse, the moneylender’s daughter became pregnant. The moneylender’s daughter became sad due to this curse and she asked her sisters-in-law to get pregnant by any one of them. After listening to her sister-in-law, the youngest sister-in-law agreed. Due to the ill effects of that curse, his child lived only for seven days. Whenever she gave birth to a child, he would die within seven days. Distressed, she met a Pandit and asked for a solution.

When the Pandit advised him to serve the Surhi cow. Following the advice of the Pandit, he started serving Surhi cow. One day, pleased with his service, the cow takes him to Syahu’s mother. On the way, a snake is about to kill the baby Garuda bird, but the moneylender’s younger daughter-in-law kills the snake and gives life to the baby Garuda bird. By then the mother of that Garuda bird arrives. After hearing the whole incident, she is impressed by him and takes him to Syahu’s mother. When Syahu’s mother hears about the charity and service spirit of the moneylender’s younger daughter-in-law, she becomes happy. Then she blesses her to be the mother of seven children. Due to the influence of blessings, the moneylender’s younger daughter-in-law has seven sons, which gives her seven daughters-in-law. His family is big and full. She lives a happy life.