Indian Festivals
Ahoi Ashtami 2024 USA: A Simple Guide to the Fast Process
Ahoi Ashtami is a sacred festival for Hindu mothers who fast and pray for the well-being and long life of their children. Observed on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Kartik, this festival holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. In 2024, Ahoi Ashtami will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 23rd.
For Indians living in the USA, the festival can still be celebrated with devotion, even if you’re far from home. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand the Ahoi Ashtami fast process and celebrate it, no matter where you are.
Ahoi Ashtami 2024 Date and Time in the USA
- Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
- Puja Muhurat (Time for Worship): 6:20 PM to 7:39 PM (local time in the USA)
- Star Sighting Time: 6:47 PM
- Moonrise Time: 11:42 PM
Also Read: Ahoi Ashtami 2024 USA: Date, Time, Vrat Katha, and Significance
Ahoi Ashtami Fast Process
1. Preparation for the Fast
- Sargi (Pre-dawn Meal): Some women begin their day with a small meal, known as Sargi, before sunrise. You can have fruits, milk, nuts, and sweets, as they provide energy for the long day of fasting.
- Ahoi Mata Picture: You will need a picture or drawing of Ahoi Mata for the evening puja. If you don’t have one, you can print one from the internet or create a simple version at home.
- Cleaning and Decor: Set up a small clean space at home for the evening puja. Many women decorate the area with flowers and light diyas (lamps).
2. Observing the Fast
- The fast typically begins at sunrise. Women keep a nirjala vrat (fast without water), though some may choose to drink water based on health conditions.
- Throughout the day, women refrain from eating and focus on prayers for their children.
3. Puja in the Evening
- Puja Time: The main puja for Ahoi Ashtami should be performed during the evening Puja Muhurat, which in 2024 is from 6:20 PM to 7:39 PM.
- During the puja, mothers worship Ahoi Mata and pray for the well-being of their children.
- Prepare a puja thali (plate) with a diya (lamp), roli (red powder), rice grains, sweets, water, and a small bowl of soaked wheat grains.
- Offer your prayers to Ahoi Mata and recite the Ahoi Ashtami vrat katha, a story that explains the origin and significance of the fast. You can easily find the katha online or in religious books.
- After the puja, sprinkle water and rice grains as an offering to Ahoi Mata.
4. Breaking the Fast
- Traditionally, the fast is broken after sighting the stars or moonrise. In the USA, the stars will be visible around 6:47 PM, and the moon will rise at 11:42 PM.
- After seeing the stars or the moon, offer water to them and complete your prayer.
- Finally, break your fast by eating a small meal, typically something light like fruits or sweets, followed by a larger meal later.
Common Foods to Eat After Breaking the Fast
- Kheer (a sweet dish made from rice and milk)
- Puri and sabzi (fried bread with vegetable curry)
- Fruits and sweets
- Celebrating Ahoi Ashtami in the USA might feel different from celebrating it in India, but with a little preparation, you can observe the festival with the same devotion. Follow the simple fasting process, perform the evening puja, and pray for your children’s well-being. Even if you’re far from home, the spirit of Ahoi Ashtami remains strong, bringing mothers and their children closer together, no matter where they are.
Ahoi Ashtami is a Hindu festival where mothers observe a fast and pray for the health, happiness, and long life of their children. It is celebrated mainly in North India but is observed by Indians all over the world.
The Ahoi Ashtami puja time in 2024 is from 6:20 PM to 7:39 PM, depending on your location in the USA.
After the fast is broken, women typically eat light foods such as kheer, puri and sabzi, and sweets like laddoos. You can adjust the meal based on your dietary preferences.
Traditionally, Ahoi Ashtami was observed by mothers with sons, but nowadays, many mothers fast and pray for all their children, regardless of gender.
Indian Festivals
Nahay Khay Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Tradition for Indians Celebrating in the USA
Chhath Puja is a highly pious festival that has been observed by millions of Indians, especially in the Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. For Indian communities living in the USA, Chhath Puja marks the opportunity to connect to the roots and seek prosperity and health with happiness. The first one is Nahay Khay, which is the kickstart of the festival. And that is special because it opens the spiritual tone for the day and days ahead. We will inform you of everything we know about Nahay Khay in the USA, considering the date, time, and importance.
Nahay Khay Date and Time for Chhath Puja 2024 USA
Nahay Khay in the year 2024 will fall on Wednesday, November 6. Here is a schedule that can be used to mark the day according to USA timing:
Nahay Khay Date: November 6, 2024
Sunrise Timing: Approximately 7:15 AM (PST) – 7:00 AM (EST), depending on the time zone
Sunset Timing: Approximately 5:10 PM (PST) – 4:50 PM (EST)
Also Read: Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Significance for Indian Communities
What is Nahay Khay in Chhath Puja?
Meaning, “bath and eat.” It is the first of the four days of the Chhath Puja festival, which may be taken as a ritual bath to the worshippers. It is an initiation ritual for purification of body and soul to start more austere days of fasting and worship. On this day, devotees take a holy dip in rivers or other sacred bodies of water before sunrise. Then they cook simple pure food called Bhog which they offer to the Sun God.
Observing Nahay Khay in the USA
In the USA, generally, people cannot access traditional Indian rivers. One can still do Nahay Khay either by taking water from a nearby lake or utilizing home-based water. For observing the day, you may follow these steps:
Also Read: List of Fruits for Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Indian Devotees in the USA
Morning Bath: One gets a fresh bath before attaining his place at this altar, which he performs in the comforts of his home. Where possible, holy Ganges water, called Ganga Jal, is added in several drops, making the whole set pure.
Preparing Satvik Food: Satvik food after bathing involves a typical breakfast comprising of rice, a vegetable from pumpkin called kaddu bhaji, and chana dal that comprised of split chickpeas. Ingredients are made use of strictly vegetarian so the sanctity of the celebration may be given importance.
Offer Prayers: The first ritual is to offer prayers in front of the Sun God with the meal before one consumes it to seek divine blessings for good health and prosperity.
The meal, often shared among family members, becomes a time for family bonding and unity.
Meaning of Nahay Khay in Chhath Puja
Nahay Khay is spiritually very significant since it is the first step towards self-discipline and purity. It cleanses the devotees before getting into the fasting days and intense worship days. This is a way of devotion towards the Sun God, thanks for his continuous energy and blessings.
Food Intaken during Nahay Khay
Nahay Khay food is not that complex; it is simple, but the requirements are actually very pure. The main dishes offered on this day include the following:
Kaddu Bhaji: It is a pumpkin vegetable with garlic and onions being avoided in this recipe.
Rice: The staple food that needs to be offered in front of Sun God.
Chana Dal: Split chickpeas that are properly cooked, and offered with devotion.
Nahay Khay is a beautiful beginning of Chhath Puja. It connects Indian communities in the USA to their heritage and tradition. The practice encourages mindfulness, purity, and gratitude and honors the Sun God for his blessings, paving the way for the rest of the Chhath Puja rituals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nahay Khay for US Indians
Nahay Khay is the initial day of the four-day Chhath Puja, when devotees renew themselves in body and spirit by bathing and eating some simple, pure food offering to the Sun God.
Start by bathing, then pray, and finally prepare food. Depending on the state, the sun rises between 7:00 to 7:30 AM.
Yes, because most of these devotees in the US did this ritual at their homes since such traditional rivers were not easily available. It may be used by adding drops of Holy water called as Ganga Jal to bath waters or cooking waters.
It covers traditional rice, kaddu bhaji or pumpkin curry, and chana dal. A meal of this sort is specially prepared to avoid the incorporation of onions, garlic, or anything else that can interfere with the pure and sacred character of the offering.
Although the roots and traditions are so strong, changes occur to include the geography of the USA. One may use a nearby lake or river when possible or ritual in the home.
Indian Festivals
List of Fruits for Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Indian Devotees in the USA
Among the spiritual occasions among the Indian community and people across the world, none is more sacred than Chhath Puja, which calls upon the worship of both Surya and his most faithful wife, Chhathi Maiya. What also happens during this festival to an extent is the fruitful items and other natural sources being offered to the holy person, which represent only pure and prosperous items for humanity. If you are staying in the USA, getting some of these fruits as used in the Chhath Puja tradition may give a more authentic look to your celebrations and connect you to your roots.
Here is the list of important fruits for preparation in Chhath Puja:
Importance of Fruits in Chhath Puja:
During Chhath Puja, devotees offer a variety of fresh fruits as a gesture of thanksgiving and seeking blessings from Surya and Chhathi Maiya. Fresh fruits are the embodiment of nature’s abundance, purity, and nourishment that the festival focuses on for health, wealth, and prosperity. The fruits are arranged in bamboo baskets representing a wholesome offering of earth’s bounty.
Also Read: Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Significance for Indian Communities
Some necessary fruits for Chhath Puja
Banana
Bananas are considered auspicious and part of the Chhath Puja offering. Accessible and very symbolic in their representation, they convey prosperity and fertility. To get bananas in the USA, you can visit grocery stores and markets.
Coconuts
As part of Hindu rituals, coconuts are one of the most important fruits offered during Chhath Puja. Pure and with husk intact, it is fine to keep them with the husk on. Indian grocery stores in the USA have fresh coconuts in their inventory during festival seasons.
Sugarcane
Sugarcane is used in worship for Chhath Puja as an embodiment of sweetness and prosperity. As a rule, it can be offered only in a raw, unprocessed way. In the USA, sugarcane may at times be seen in certain specialty grocery stores, or at least stores with specialty Asian or Caribbean products sections.
Apple
Apples are widely available in America and are regularly added to the Chhath Puja basket. Apples, being of the vibrant red color, signify energizing and commitment to one’s deity; hence apples become a beautiful addition as well.
Pomegranate
This fruit is the symbol of abundance and fertility. So, these fruits are a must in any type of Chhath Puja offering. In the United States, these fruit easily available in stores; people can get them throughout the autumn season.
Orange
The orange fruit is symbolically related with good health; people include oranges in any type of Chhath Puja basket. With this fruit, oranges present the color and diversity on the offerings. It easily available in most of supermarkets in USA.
Mosambi or Sweet Lime
Mosambi or sweet lime is traditional for Chhath Puja, which represents optimism and sweetness in life. This fruit might not readily be found in most US supermarkets, but can probably be found in Indian or South Asian grocery stores.
Grapes
Gruits of joy and prosperity hence make them perfect as a donation towards the God in Chhath Puja. Tiny round-shaped fruits which may have their sweet variety both in terms of taste and texture with the fruit basket, widely available in U.S. Pineapple
The Tropical Fruit Pineapple is a representation of hospitality and prosperity. An added uniqueness to Chhath Puja through some flavor added to it has given texture it, which comes mostly from supermarkets available in the United States.
Papaya
Papaya, being a healthy fruit and also a symbol of prosperity and harmony, is found in Chhath Puja. Typically, you can get the fruit in larger supermarkets and specialty stores in most cities.
How to Prepare Your Fruit Basket for Chhath Puja in the USA
You will find it very difficult to get old bamboo baskets here in the USA, where you can carry any type of handmade natural fiber basket according to the ritual;
Buying Fruits from Vegetables Store Fresh fruits always try to shop a couple of days ahead of Pooja date.
Substitutes at the Local Level: If you cannot find any specific fruit, then local fruit with similar texture and color can be used; however, remember the purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chhath Puja Fruits
Every fruit is symbolic and has a very different meaning like prosperity, good health, and bliss which devotees want from Surya and Chhathi Maiya.
Ideally, fresh fruits are considered for the purpose of being pure and fresh. In case you are unable to get fresh fruits, then you can use alternatives, but still, fresh is preferred.
While there is no strict taboo, one must avoid those fruits that might spoil within a short time or are not easily sourced freshly. Fruits should be chosen based on cultural importance for the occasion.
Absolutely. Many Indians in the USA do Chhath Puja at home, sometimes in gardens or by small bodies of water, if available, to keep with the ritual.
Chhath Puja in the USA can be a bit of a challenge, especially in getting some of the traditional items such as bamboo baskets and some fruits. The spirit of the festival can be well preserved by sourcing the required fruits and making an offering that reflects your love and respect for this precious tradition. You could continue to connect with your heritage while celebrating with your community in the USA by including bananas, coconuts, and sugarcane in your Chhath Puja.
Indian Festivals
Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Significance for Indian Communities
Chhath Puja is an important festival especially dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya, mainly in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. This festival holds a significant place in Indian communities in the USA and connects them with their roots. Chhath Puja in America gives Indian communities a small taste of their homeland while staying abroad. In 2024, Chhath Puja will be performed on 7th and 8th November. On both days, the devotees will observe several rituals: fasting, giving “Arghya” to the Sun God, and asking for prosperity and family’s well-being.
Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date and Time
In USA, the Sun rising and setting time will be calculated to perform the rituals at those times. The list of dates and times is as follows
Day 1: Nahay Khay- November 5, 2024
Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna- November 6, 2024
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya- November 7, 2024
Sunset time for Sandhya Arghya: around 4:52 PM. The sunset time varies with the city.
Day 4: Usha Arghya- November 8, 2024
Sunrise Time for Usha Arghya: About 6:35 AM (according to the city)
Importance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is special because it symbolizes purity and simplicity with respect to Mother Nature. During the celebration, one looks to thank the Sun God Surya for giving them life and wishes their family health, well-being, and prosperity. It is in the worship rituals of Chhath Puja that one looks for protection from and happiness through the goddess Chhathi Maiya whom people believe in, protects children, and brings happy families.
For most Indians, remembering the same in the United States makes Chhath Puja remember to enrich cultural heritage through the bond of memories with family and friends.
This tradition of being a human connection in regards to gratitude that involves nature and transcended boundaries can be said as under:
Some Major Traditions and Practices Followed During Chhath Puja
Day 1: Nahay Khay
It begins with Nahay Khay, where the devotees bathe and cook sattvic (pure) food. This marks the beginning of their fast. The simple food is mainly rice, pumpkin curry, and chana dal, which are pure.
Lohanda and Kharna (Day 2):
On the second day, devotees observe a day-long fast, breaking it only after sunset with “kharna prasad” (sattvic food). Traditional foods include rice pudding and roti made with jaggery, meaning devotion and patience.
Sandhya Arghya: Day 3
This is the main day of Chhath Puja, in which devotees gather by rivers or water bodies in the evening to offer prayers and “Arghya” to the setting sun. It is a beautiful ritual where devotees stand in water, holding offerings like fruits, thekua, which is a traditional sweet, and other symbolic items in bamboo baskets. For Indians in the USA, communities gather at lakes, rivers, or even ponds to conduct this ritual.
Usha Arghya (Day 4)
On the last day of Chhath Puja, devotees present their prayers to the increasing sun. This marks the end of the fasting schedule and is almost like hope, new horizons, and divine goodwill.
Chhath Puja in USA
For Indian groups in the USA, there are often gatherings near a river, lake, or a community center that might permit the gathering. So many temples and cultural events plan Chhath Puja gatherings where devotees may perform rituals together at those places.
Places Where Chhath Puja Gatherings Are Held,
California: There are gathering points near water bodies here both in Los Angeles as well as in the Bay Area.
New York: The Hudson River and community ponds are congregation sites for New York’s Indian population.
Chicago: Groups come together near Lake Michigan or local rivers.
Houston: Local temples and societies commonly conduct Chhath Puja for the devotees.
Food and Prasad in Chhath Puja
The food during Chhath Puja is purely vegetarian and can be prepared salt-free, garlic-free, and onions-free. The most common prasad are:
Thekua: A traditional sweet made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee.
Rice Pudding (Kheer): Rice, milk, and sugar, which means purity and dedication.
Fruits: Banana, coconut, and sugarcane, which are used as an offering.
All these things are offered in bamboo baskets to Surya and Chhathi Maiya.
FAQs about Chhath Puja 2024 in the USA
Chhath Puja in 2024, starting from 5th November 2024 and going till 8th November 2024 will take place, on 7th Sandhya Arghya and on the 8th of November, Usha Arghya.
Chhath Puja is happening at every location; in California, New York, Chicago, and Texas; in those cities; communities have gathered by the sides of water-bodies or community centers,
Her major oblations are thekua, rice pudding called kheer, fruits, and sugarcane, carried in hand with bamboo baskets as her form of paying obeisance.
Normally, people wear religious attire for this ceremony: saris in hues that are a shade closer to yellow or orange so as to depict purity along with dedication for both women and men, using dhoti as the regular dress.
Chhath Puja is that festival where Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya are worshipped. It is a form of gratitude, purity, and linking human beings to nature.
Chhath Puja time is to rejuvenate Indians in USA to their cultures and spiritual lives. In the midst of a country of great diversity, one can’t help but talk about this festival of pureness, and devotion, where all remember the bond they share with tradition and society, transcending the geography, when families and friends together offer Arghya. The blessings of the Sun God infuse every aspect and bring divine delight among all.
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