Ahoi Ashtami or Hoi Ashtami is a festival popularly celebrated by the women of North India. This festival is celebrated on the 4th day after the Karwa Chauth or 8 days Before the Diwali. The festival or Fast is observed on the 8th day of Krishna Paksha of holy Kartik month. This fast is observed by the mothers for the well being and good luck for their children, especially for their sons. This year, the festival will be celebrated on 12th of October.i.e On Thursday. Hence here in this article, we are going to tell you about the significance and beliefs associated with this festival.

According to Hindu Calender, the Fast falls on Ashtami tithi hence known as Ahoi Ashtami or “Ahoi Aathe” Vrat. Just like any other festival, this festival is also observed with the same enthusiasm and zeal. The day is dedicated to worshiping of Maa Ahoi Or Ahoi Mata. The Day marks the beautiful relationship between a mother and her children. On this significant day, mother of the son observes a strict fast throughout the day for her children. Like Karwa Chauth, this is also a Nirjala Vrat where women spend the whole day without drinking a drop of water. Unlike Karwa Chauth, the fast is broken after sighting the twinkling stars.

Women get up early in the morning, after finishing their daily chores, they worship Ahoi Mata and take a Sankalp in front of the image of Maa Ahoi Ashtami and pray for the health and long life for their children’s. In the afternoon, all the women gathered together and performed the holy puja. They also listen to the Ahoi Vrat Katha and sings the mangal song for the well being of their children’s. Then they started making delicious food especially the meethi Til Ki Puri Or meethi Matthi for the bhog. This food than offered to the Goddess and a Bayna is also given to the elder women of the house to get the blessings or Ashirwad for their children.

This Vrat is also preferable for the women who are facing problem in conceiving or who had suffered the pain of miscarriage. Women should perform this Vrat with full devotion to getting blessed with a baby boy. Hence, this day holds more importance for the childless couples and hence also known as “Krishnaashtami”. According to a lore, it is to be believed that couples who take bath in the holy “Radha Kund” on this day soon get blessed with a baby boy. This is the reason, Devotees from all over the country come and worships for a happy and prosperous family in front of the Radha Kund.