Chaitra Navratri, celebrated during the spring season (March-April), is a sacred Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. This nine-day celebration culminates in a powerful ritual known as Kanya Pujan, also referred to as Kumari Puja. This ceremony is a reverent offering to young girls, symbolizing the manifestation of the divine feminine energy, or Shakti, in its purest form. Through Kanya Pujan, devotees seek blessings, prosperity, and spiritual growth. Maha Navami, also known as Ram Navami, is observed annually on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. This year, Kumari Puja or Kanjak will be celebrated on April 6, 2025 (Sunday).
Why Kanya Pujan is done and its significance
Kanya Pujan, a significant ritual during Navratri, stems from the belief that young girls are embodiments of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that the goddess herself took the form of a young girl to defeat the demon Kalasura. Therefore, during the eighth or ninth day of Navratri, devotees honor these girls, typically nine in number, representing the nine forms of Durga (Navadurga). Kanya Pujan holds immense significance in Hinduism as it symbolizes the worship of Goddess Durga through young girls, considered her Kumari form, thereby purifying households, ushering in auspiciousness, and honoring feminine power; it is believed to eradicate sins, fulfill desires, and represent innocence and purity, while also reinforcing social values of respecting and protecting young girls, highlighting their vital role in maintaining harmony and empowering the younger generation.
The rituals of Kanya Pujan
Kanya Pujan is a deeply reverent ritual involving the selection and respectful invitation of nine young girls, representing the Navadurga, and often a boy representing Lord Bhairava, to the devotee's home. Upon their arrival, the girls are warmly welcomed, and their feet are ceremoniously washed (Pada Pujan) with water, milk, and sacred mantras, symbolizing purification and humility. They are then seated on a decorated platform and adorned with traditional attire and jewelry, signifying their divine essence. A special vegetarian meal (Bhog) consisting of Sooji Halwa, Kala Chana, and Poori is prepared and offered with love and devotion. Following the meal, prayers and Aarti are performed, and the girls are offered Dakshina and gifts as tokens of gratitude. Finally, the devotee seeks their blessings and bids them a respectful farewell, ensuring their safe journey home.
How to perform Kanya Pujan
Kanya Pujan involves careful preparation, beginning with thoroughly cleaning the home and setting up a dedicated space with necessary items like red cloth, flowers, and ritualistic materials. Nine young girls (and optionally, a boy) are invited in advance, and on the day of the ceremony, they are welcomed respectfully, their feet are washed, and they are adorned with traditional attire and markings. The prepared Bhog is served with devotion, followed by prayers and Aarti dedicated to Goddess Durga. Finally, dakshina and gifts are offered as a gesture of gratitude, blessings are sought, and the girls are bid farewell with respect.
Keep these things in mind while doing Kanya Pujan:
When performing the Kanya pujan, it is important to remember that it is an act of reverence, and to treat the girls with the utmost respect and care. It is important to keep these points in your mind:
Giving flowers to the kanya during Kanya pujan is considered auspicious. Give them flowers like roses, champa, marigold, hibiscus, etc.
Give the girls fruit during pujan
Try to keep halwa and kheer to feed the kanyas, it is considered as auspicious and pleases goddess Durga
There is a special significance of gifting clothes to the kanya, but you can also give a napkin or ribbon in case
Gifting make-up items to the girls is considered auspicious, consider gifting them the beauty products.
Please keep in mind that the Kanya Pujan should be done in an auspicious time. It is important to consider Rahu kaal and Bhadra kaal.
Always keep in mind, the age of the girl invited during the Kanya Pujan should be 2-10 years old, and their number should be 9. Also, a boy should be invited along with them. The boy is considered as a Batuk Bhairava during Kanya Pujan.
Kanya Pujan during Chaitra Navratri is a powerful and meaningful ritual that allows devotees to connect with the divine feminine energy in its purest form. By performing this ceremony with devotion, respect, and genuine intention, individuals can seek blessings, prosperity, and spiritual growth, while also contributing to the well-being and empowerment of young girls in society. This sacred tradition serves as a reminder of the immense power and importance of women in Hinduism and the world at large. Remember to perform the ritual with utmost care, respect, and devotion, ensuring the comfort and well-being of the young girls who are being honored as manifestations of the Goddess herself.
Jai Mata Di!
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