Calendar

Significance of Ahoi Ashtami

Rituals and Observances

• Fasting: Mothers observe a strict fast throughout the day, often abstaining from water, and break the fast only after sighting the stars or the moon.
• Puja: The puja involves worshipping Goddess Ahoi, where mothers pray for the health and longevity of their children. The rituals include drawing the face of a cub, which symbolizes the goddess, and offering prayers with utmost devotion.
• Cultural Importance: Ahoi Ashtami is particularly significant for childless couples and is believed to be auspicious for those seeking to conceive.

Dhantrayodashi which is also known as Dhanteras is the first day of five days long Diwali festivities. On the day of Dhantrayodashi, Goddess Lakshmi came out of the ocean during the churning of the Milky Sea. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Kubera who is the God of wealth, is worshipped on the auspicious day of Trayodashi. However, Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya after two days of Dhantrayodashi is considered more significant.

Kali Chaudas, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, is a significant Hindu festival. It typically falls the day before Diwali and is also referred to as Roop Chaudas, Choti Diwali, or Narak Nivaran Chaturdashi.

🌑 Meaning and Mythology

• “Kali” means dark or eternal, and “Chaudas” means fourteenth—referring to the lunar date.
• The day commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
• In some traditions, Goddess Kali is worshipped for her fierce power to destroy negativity and evil forces.

🔱 🪔 Rituals and Celebrations

• Early morning rituals include bathing, lighting lamps (diyas), and offering prayers.
• Oil, flowers, and sandalwood are used in puja ceremonies.
• Homes are decorated with rangoli, candles, and lights to ward off evil.
• Traditional foods like Khoya sweets, puffed rice, and festive dishes are shared with loved ones.

🧘‍♀️ Deities Worshipped

• Goddess Kali, Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Lakshmi are commonly worshipped.
• Lighting a lamp for Yama, the god of death, is believed to protect from suffering in the afterlife.

The third day of Diwali: Lakshmi Puja on Diwali

This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest) and they worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

HAPPY DIWALI 💥✨

The fourth day of Diwali: Padwa & Govardhan Puja

On this day, Govardhan Pooja is performed. Many thousands of years ago, Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Govardhan Pooja. From then on, every year Hindus worship Govardhan to honour that first Pooja done by the people of Vraja.

Gowardhan Puja is also known as Annakut Puja. On this day food made of cereals like wheat, rice, curry made of gram flour and leafy vegetables is cooked and offered to Lord Krishna.

In Maharashtra the same day is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Bali Padva. The day commemorates victory of Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, over King Bali and subsequent pushing of Bali to Patal Lok (the underworld). It is believed that due to boon given by Lord Vamana, Asura King Bali visits the Prithvi Lok from the Patala Lok on this day.

Most of the time Govardhan Puja day coincides with Gujarati New Year day, which is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Kartik month. Depending on starting time of Pratipada Tithi, Govardhan Puja celebrations could be done one day before Gujarati New Year day.

The fifth day of Diwali: Bhai Duj

The fifth day of the Diwali is called Bhai teeka. This is the day after Goverdhan Pooja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day. It is a day dedicated to sisters. Many moons ago, in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited his sister Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (a boon) that whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will achieve Moksha or final emancipation. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of their welfare.

This day marks the end of the five days of Deepavali celebrations. This is also known as Bhai fota among Bengalis. Bhai fota is an event especially among Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother’s safety, success and wellbeing.