Kanya Pujan: Kumari Puja is a significant and devotional ritual of the Durga Puja festival, where young girls are worshiped as embodiments of Goddess Durga. This tradition is joyfully celebrated across India. In West Bengal, it is performed on Maha Ashtami, while in other regions, it takes place on Navami. In North India, it is known as ‘Kanya Pujan,’ observed on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri. It is also called ‘Kanjak Puja,’ where nine girls are revered as the nine forms of Goddess Durga.
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Significance Of Kanya Pujan
The Kumari form of Goddess Durga is considered extremely auspicious and sacred, as it represents the foundation of creation. Kanya Puja is regarded as the best means to receive the blessings of the Goddess. Worshipping and honouring young girls pleases them, which in turn pleases the Goddess. This ritual is not only a form of devotion to Goddess Durga but also a symbol of respect for feminine power and purity in society.
Kanya Puja holds special significance during Navratri, where girls aged 2 to 10 are worshipped as embodiments of different forms of Goddess Durga. According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, after the first year of birth, girls are considered “Kumari,” and based on their age, they are associated with different divine forms. A two-year-old girl is called Kumari, three-year-old Trimurti, four-year-old Kalyani, five-year-old Rohini, six-year-old Kalika, seven-year-old Chandika, eight-year-old Shambhavi, nine-year-old Durga, and a ten-year-old girl is considered the form of Subhadra.
Religious scriptures describe girls between the ages of three and ten as manifestations of divine energy. The Durga Saptashati also mentions that before worshipping Goddess Durga, one should first perform Kanya Pujan, as young girls symbolise feminine power and creation. Therefore, honouring them during Navratri brings the blessings of Goddess Durga, ensuring happiness and prosperity in the household.
Kanya Pujan Vidhi
- Invite The Girls – A day before Maha Ashtami or Navami, respectfully invite young girls for Kumari Puja.
- Honour And Welcome – When the girls arrive, seat them with love and shower them with flowers as a gesture of respect.
- Sacred Bath And Attire – Bathe the girls with holy water, then dress them in beautiful red chunari.
- Adornment – Decorate them with flowers and jewelry, and apply vermilion tilak on their forehead and feet.
- Puja And Mantra Chanting – Perform Panchopachar Puja, chanting “Om Kaumaryai Namah”, and place a sacred flower in their hands.
- Offer Prasad – Serve their favorite food, ensuring a sweet dish is included.
- Feet Washing And Tilak – After the meal, wash their feet and apply kumkum tilak as per tradition.
Give Offerings And Receive Blessings
- Offer Dakshina And Pray – Offer Dakshina to the girls and pray:
“O Divine Mother, revered by the world, please accept our worship.” - Offer Flowers And Bid Farewell – Place flowers at their feet, give them gifts, and respectfully send them off.
Benefits Of Kanya Puja
- Poverty is eliminated.
- Victory over enemies is achieved.
- Wealth, longevity, knowledge, and prosperity are attained.
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