Ahoi Ashtami 2023: Stars Are Offered Arghya Instead Of Sun Or Moon. Know Why
The tradition of Ahoi Ashtami involves observing the stars, giving them an offering (arghya), and then breaking the fast.
Ahoi Ashtami 2023: According to the Hindu calendar, Ahoi Ashtami is observed on the eighth day of the Kartik Krishna Paksha, three days after Karwa Chauth. This year, Ahoi Ashtami falls on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Women observe this fast for the long life, health, and prosperity of their children.
In Hinduism, Ahoi Ashtami holds special significance. On Ahoi Ashtami, mothers fast and worship Ahoi Mata. The tradition involves observing the stars, giving them an offering (arghya), and then breaking the fast. In Hindu culture, several festivals involve offering prayers to the sun and the moon, but Ahoi Ashtami is unique in its practice of offering prayers to the stars.
Do you know the importance of this tradition and why stars are offered arghya on this day? Read further to know:
Ahoi Ashtami 2023 Puja Muhurat:
This year, on November 5, 2023, the Ashtami tithi will begin at 12:59 PM and end the next day at 03:18 AM. The tradition of observing Ahoi Ashtami involves observing the stars and offering arghya to them. Therefore, it is considered auspicious to observe the Ahoi Ashtami fast, perform the puja, and break the fast on November 5. The time for star-rise today will be at 6:36 PM, and the moonrise will be at 8:34 PM.
The Tradition of Offering Arghya to the Stars on Ahoi Ashtami:
The sky is filled with countless stars, and it is believed that on Ahoi Ashtami, mothers worship these numerous stars, praying for a large and prosperous family. While performing the puja, mothers also make a prayer that, just as the stars in the sky always shine, the destiny of their family also shines brightly, and their children bring fame to the family name.
Behind the tradition of offering arghya to the stars on this day, there is a religious belief. According to this belief, all the stars in the sky are the offspring of Ahoi Mata. Therefore, until arghya is offered to the stars, the Ahoi Ashtami fast is not considered complete.
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