Puja vidhi — step by step
1. Morning bath and the vow of fasting
Bathe in the morning and wear clean clothes. Remember the Lord and bow to Ahoi Mata. Hold a little water and unbroken rice in your hand. Remember your name and your children, and make this resolve: “O Ahoi Mata, I shall observe this Ahoi Ashtami vrat and worship you with devotion for the long life, health, wisdom and well-being of my children. Mother, accept my worship and bless our family.” After the resolve, release the water into a clean vessel.
2. Prepare the place of worship
Clean the worship area, make a traditional chowk design and place a low platform covered with a clean cloth. Set an image of Ahoi Mata upon it. In households where an image of Ahoi Mata, Syahu and her young is drawn on the wall with red ochre, follow that custom. Arrange the puja essentials neatly.
3. Place the kalash and karwa
Place a clean kalash or lota filled with water before the Mother. According to family custom, place a karwa, tie a sacred thread around it and cover it with a lid or small bowl. Keep a separate vessel ready for arghya. Where a silver Ahoi or Syahu pendant and necklace are traditionally worshipped, place them with the puja articles.
4. Remember Shri Ganesha and light the lamp
At the evening worship time, sit upon a clean seat. Remember Shri Ganesha first and pray for the worship to proceed without obstacles. Light a ghee lamp and offer incense. Quietly bring your mind to Ahoi Mata.
5. Worship Ahoi Mata
Offer roli, unbroken rice and flowers to Ahoi Mata. Offer a chunari and adornment articles according to family tradition. Apply a tilak to the silver Ahoi and necklace where these are worshipped. Pray for the happiness, health, good conduct and long life of your children.
6. Offer bhog and naivedya
Offer sweet pua or halwa, fruit, sugar drops and freshly prepared festive dishes to the Mother. Include puri, vegetables or other customary food according to your household practice. Offer clean water with the food and spend a few moments in remembrance of the Mother.
7. Read or listen to the Ahoi Ashtami katha
Read or listen to the vrat katha with devotion, together with the women and children of the family. If your household custom is to hold rice or grain during the katha, follow that practice. At its conclusion, hail Ahoi Mata and cherish compassion for all creatures and prayers for the welfare of children.
8. Perform aarti and offer prayers
Perform the Mother's aarti. With folded hands, pray: “O Ahoi Mata, protect our children and bless them with health, wisdom and noble values. Let love, harmony and auspiciousness dwell in our family.” Seek forgiveness for any shortcomings in the worship and bow to the Mother.
9. Offer arghya to the stars
When the stars become visible in the evening, offer water or water mixed with a little milk according to your family custom. Remember Ahoi Mata and pray for the well-being of your children. Families that traditionally complete the fast after sighting and offering arghya to the moon should follow their established practice.
10. Receive blessings and complete the fast
After puja and arghya, bow to the elders and receive their blessings. Where the custom of bayana is observed, respectfully offer festive food, fruit and dakshina. Receive the Mother's prasad, drink water and complete the fast with a meal according to family tradition. Distribute prasad among the family.
