Ahoi Ashtami 2025: Today Ahoi Ashtami fast is being observed. According to the Panchang, Ahoi Ashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. Ahoi Mata (Mata Parvati) is worshiped on this day. Also, on this day all mothers observe a fast and wish for the protection and long life of their children. Also, people who are unable to have children can also observe this fast. According to astrologers, to get the benefit of fasting on Ahoi Ashtami, one must listen to the story related to it. So let us know what is the story related to Ahoi Ashtami.
Ahoi Ashtami legend of
Long time ago, there lived a rich moneylender in a city. He had seven sons and a lovely daughter. Everyone’s marriage took place with great pomp and show. Every year on the occasion of Diwali, the moneylender’s daughter used to come to her parents’ house. That year also she came to meet her parents. All seven daughters-in-law of the moneylender set out to collect soil from the forest for cleaning and plastering the house for Diwali. The daughter insisted that she would also go with them.
After reaching the forest, everyone started digging the soil. A Syahu (porcupine) lived nearby with her children. When the moneylender’s daughter was cutting soil, her tool accidentally hit one of Syahu’s children and he died. Seeing this, Syahu became angry and said – ‘Just as you have killed my child, I will also tie your womb in the same way.’ Frightened by Syahu’s curse, the moneylender’s daughter started crying and requested her seven sisters-in-law to get her womb tied in her place. Everyone refused, but the youngest sister-in-law showed compassion and promised to get her womb tied in his place.
After this, whenever the younger daughter-in-law had a child, it would not survive more than seven days. She was devastated by the death of seven consecutive sons. Feeling sad, he called a Pandit. The Pandit heard his sorrow and said – ‘You serve the Surhi cow, she will relieve your sorrow.’ The younger daughter-in-law started serving the Surhi cow with all her heart. Pleased with her loyalty, Surhi cow asked – ‘Daughter, why are you showering so much affection on me?’ The daughter-in-law narrated all her plight. Surahi took pity and said that she would take her to Syahu Mata so that her womb could open.
Both of them set out on a journey across the seven seas. One day while they were resting on the way, the younger daughter-in-law saw that a snake was going to bite the child of Garuda Pankhani. He gathered courage and killed the snake and saved the child’s life.
After some time, Garuda Pankhani returned and seeing the blood spread, she got confused that her younger daughter-in-law had killed her child. In anger she started hitting him with her beak. The daughter-in-law folded her hands and told the whole truth – ‘Mother, this is snake’s blood, I have saved your child’s life.’ When Garuda Pankhani came to know the truth, she became very happy and blessed him and helped him reach Syahu Mata. After reaching Syahu Mata, the younger daughter-in-law served her with all her heart. Syahu was impressed by her devotion and dedication and said – ‘Your womb will now open. You will get seven sons and seven daughters-in-law.
With the blessings of Syahu, the life of the younger daughter-in-law changed. His house was again filled with laughter and happiness. Since then it is said – ‘Ahoi’ i.e. the power that transforms the unexpected into happening. Therefore, Ahoi Ashtami fast is observed.
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