KANYA PUJA - A SUPREME RITUAL IN THE CELEBRATION OF NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

 

 In this Navratri festival, today being the Ashtami, Durga Ashtami or durga puja is performed at homes. As a part of this Kanya puja is also done.

 Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja is a significant ritual during Navratri and Durga Puja. It is held during the most important days of Navratri i.e. Ashtami and Navmi. This ritual involves worshiping girls aged between 6 and 12, symbolizing the Kanya Kumari.

 On this day, devotees conduct "Kanya Bhoj" or "Kanjak Poojan" at their homes to worship Maa Durga. Devotees welcome little girls (the girls are considered as the replicas of Maa Durga) at the homes and offer them Prasad (Ashtami bhog recipes) of Halwa-Puri, Sweets and Nariyal.

 They wash their feet with water, wipe them and ask them to sit on a special pedestal. A sacred thread (moli) is tied to their wrists and vermillion is applied to their foreheads. They are worshipped and people touch their feet and seek blessings.

 Kanjak, also known as Kanya Pujan, is performed to worship these girls as manifestations of Goddess Durga. 

 During Kumari Puja, the young girl is seated on a special pedestal, and her feet are washed as mantras are recited in reverence to Goddess Durga. Sandhi Puja holds immense significance in the Durga Puja celebrations, conducted at the precise juncture where Ashtami ends and Navami begins.

 Kanya Puja is believed to bring blessings, prosperity, happiness, and success. Girls aged two to ten are considered suitable for the puja.

 Nine girls are invited for Kanya Pujan, to represent the Navadurga forms of Goddess Durga. But many also welcome up to eighteen girls to worship them all between the ages of two to ten.

Kanya Pujan is generally performed on the last two days of Navratri, namely Ashtami (Ashtami Kanya Pujan) and Navami (Navami Kanya Pujan). People observe fasts on these days and perform the ritual of Kanya Puja. It is believed that the Navratri fasts are incomplete without Kanya Pujan.

 This ritual is a way to show gratitude to the Supreme Goddess. People worship Brahmacharini, Andraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalarati, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri, who represent the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga.

 It is believed that Goddess Durga had taken the form of a kanya (young girl) to defeat the demon Kalasura and end his tyranny over the world. Devotees believe that the Devi resides in little girls and worship the nine forms of Devi in them during Navratri.

 She is worshipped because, according to the philosophy of 'Striyah Samastastava Devi Bhedah', women symbolize Mahamaya (the goddess Durga). Even among these a girl child is considered to be the purest, because of her innocence.

 Kumari puja is celebrated in order to signify that Maa Durga or rather the power of Maa Durga prevails in every women and they must be respected like the Divine mother.

 Kanya Pujan is the most beautiful way of honoring and worshipping Maa Durga in the form of young girls. This is the day that brings excitement and cheer to one's household. And it is believed that Durga Maa brings positivity and provides protection.

 Thus through these little girls every house hold is blessed by Goddess Durga during this Navratri festival.