Kanya Puja, also known as Kumarika Puja and Kanjak Puja, holds profound importance during Navratri. It is observed on Ashtami and Mahanavami. This year, it falls on Durga Ashtami, April 16, and Mahanavami, April 17, coinciding with Ram Navami when Navratri fasts ends.
As per belief, Kanya Puja must be performed on all nine days of Navratri. Only a single girl is worshipped on the first day of Navratri, with an additional girl added each subsequent day. However, many individuals opt to perform Kumari Puja on a single day, either on Ashtami Puja or Navami Puja. Also, it is believed that the Mother Divine resides within these young girls, and worshipping them brings good fortune, wealth, and happiness into people’s lives.
Kanya Puja 2024: Shubh Muhurat
As per the Drik Panchang, Shukla Ashtami will begin at 12:11 PM on April 15 and conclude at 1:23 PM on April 16. Additionally, the auspicious Pushya Nakshatra will extend until 5:16 AM on April 17, and the Dhriti Yoga will last until 11:17 PM. Another auspicious time is Abhijit Muhurat, which will take place between 12:06 PM and 12:57 PM.
Kanya Puja 2024: Rituals
- To mark the occasion, devotees invite nine young girls to their homes.
- They wash the girls’ feet with water, wipe them, and invite them to sit on a special platform.
- A sacred thread, known as moli, is tied around their wrists, while vermilion is applied to their foreheads. Then, people seek blessings by touching their feet.
- A variety of special dishes such as poori, chana, ghee halwa, sweets, and kheer, are offered to the girls, along with gifts such as new dresses, bangles, and money.
Kanya Puja 2024: Significance
Nine girls worshipped on this day, aged between 2 and 10, represent various forms of goddess Durga which include Kumarika, Trimurti, Kalyani, Rohini, Kali, Chandika, Shambhavi, Durga, Bhadra or Subhadra.
As per the Bhagavad Purana, the ninth day of Navaratri is considered auspicious for fulfilling devotees’ wishes. Those who observe a nine-day fast and perform the ritual of worshipping young girls on the last day are believed to receive blessings.
Worshipping a single girl is believed to bring good fortune, while two girls represent insight and salvation, and three girls are associated with virtue.
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