Mumbai: Chaitra Navratri, one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar, began this year on 30 March and will conclude on Sunday, 6 April. The nine-day festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms. Among the most sacred rituals during this period is Kanya Pujan, also known as Kanjak Puja, which involves the worship of young girls as incarnations of the Goddess.
This year, Chaitra Navratri spans only eight days, creating some confusion around the observance of Ashtami and Navami – the eighth and ninth days of the festival, traditionally marked for performing Kanya Pujan. According to the Vedic calendar, the Ashtami tithi will commence at 8:12 PM on 4 April and end at 7:26 PM on 5 April. Navami will then begin and continue until 7:22 PM on 6 April. In light of this, devotees are encouraged to perform Kanya Pujan on 5 April (Ashtami) and/or 6 April (Navami), in line with their spiritual customs and beliefs.
Kanya Pujan holds deep spiritual meaning in Hindu tradition. Young girls, typically between the ages of two and ten, are considered embodiments of Goddess Durga. During the ritual, devotees wash the feet of the girls, offer them food, perform aarti, and present them with gifts. It is believed that by honouring these young girls, one receives divine blessings and removes obstacles from life.
The essential items required for the puja include clean water and cloth to wash the girls’ feet, seating arrangements, cow dung cakes for the ritual fire, a decorated puja thali, ghee lamp, red vermillion (roli), sacred thread (kalava), rice, flowers, scarves (chunni), fruits, sweets, and the traditional halwa-puri with chana.
Devotees begin preparations early in the morning with house cleaning and personal purification through bathing. Worship typically starts with prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Mahagauri, followed by the ceremonial welcome of the young girls. After the rituals, the girls are served a special meal and offered gifts as a token of reverence and gratitude. Touching their feet and seeking their blessings is considered an auspicious conclusion to the ceremony.
As the final days of Chaitra Navratri approach, devotees across the country are preparing to observe Kanya Pujan with devotion and care, seeking the blessings of the Goddess for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
(Disclaimer: The information provided is based on traditional beliefs and religious texts. News9 Live does not independently verify the religious significance of these rituals.)
