Without Kanya Pujan, the worship of nine little girls to honor Goddess Durga’s nine different forms, the pious Hindu celebration of Navratri is incomplete. This article provides insights into Kanya Pujan 2024, including its dates, rituals, significance, and much more.
What is Kanya Pujan?
Kanya Pujan, also known as Kumari Puja or Kanjakk, is a sacred Hindu ritual performed on the eighth or ninth day of the Navratri festival. During this time, devotees invite nine little girls, representing the nine Navadurga forms of Maa Durga, into their homes for worship. These nine forms include:
Kumarika
Trimurti
Kalyani
Rohini
Kali
Chandika
Shambhavi
Durga
Bhadra or Subhadra
According to sacred texts, worshiping one girl child brings good fortune, while inviting more girls enhances blessings of perception, merit, and authority.
When is Kanya Pujan in Shardiya Navratri 2024?
Kanya Pujan in Shardiya Navratri 2024: Ashtami and Navami Dates
In Shardiya Navratri, Maha Ashtami will be observed on October 11, 2024. This day also marks the Sandhi Puja, making it the third day of the Durga Puja celebrations.
According to the Hindu calendar, the Ashtami Tithi of Ashwin Shukla Paksha will begin on October 10, 2024, at 12:31 PM and will end on October 11, 2024, at 12:06 PM. Following this, the Navami Tithi will commence.
Timing for the Auspicious Periods:
Char (General): 6:20 AM - 7:47 AM
Labh (Progress): 7:47 AM - 9:14 AM
Amrit (Best): 9:14 AM - 10:41 AM
This year, Saptami and Ashtami will both occur on October 10, 2024. According to scriptures, if Saptami and Ashtami fall on the same day, the Dughashtami fast should not be observed, as it is considered inauspicious.
Therefore, in 2024, both Ashtami and Navami will be celebrated on October 11, with the worship of Maa Mahagauri on Ashtami and Maa Siddhidatri on Navami.
How to Perform Kanya Pujan?
While Kanya Pujan can be performed on all nine days of Navratri, many devotees choose to conduct the ritual on Ashtami or Navami. The girls invited for the puja should ideally be aged between two to ten, symbolizing the different forms of Goddess Durga.
Steps for Performing Kanya Pujan:
Preparation: Rise early, take a purifying bath, and clean your home.
Welcoming the Girls: Invite the nine girls and wash their feet as a mark of respect.
Offerings: Place them on a pedestal and tie a sacred thread around their wrists. Apply red Kumkum on their foreheads.
Worship: Offer Akshat (rice grains), incense, and perform rituals with devotion.
Bhog: Serve them a special Bhog, typically consisting of Halwa, Puris, and Chana.
Gifts: Present gifts, such as clothes, bangles, or money, as a gesture of goodwill and respect.
Seeking Blessings: Conclude the ritual by touching their feet and seeking their blessings.
What are the Do's and Don'ts of Kanya Pujan?
Do's:
Always invite at least one boy to the Kanya Pujan as a remedy for fertility.
Wash the girls' feet with clean water or Gangajal.
Serve food without onion or garlic, including traditional items like Kheer.
Offer gifts as Dakshina after the rituals.
Don'ts:
Avoid inviting girls who are ill or unwell.
Don't perform the rituals without taking a bath beforehand.
Significance of Kanya Pujan
Kanya Pujan holds immense significance in Hinduism, as it embodies the essence of feminine power and creativity. According to belief, Mahamaya (Goddess Durga) is the universal creative force, and honoring young girls symbolizes respect for their strength and purity. This ritual helps devotees attain blessings for Moksha, Karma, Dharma, and Arth.
The worship of young girls is believed to grant tranquility, wisdom, fame, and prosperity to devotees. As per the Devi Bhagwat Purana, honoring these little girls on Navratri brings immense merit to the devotees, making them more pleasing to Goddess Durga than any other forms of worship.
Conclusion
Kanya Pujan is a heartwarming ritual during Navratri that emphasizes the importance of femininity, purity, and blessings in life. By honoring the young girls as manifestations of Goddess Durga, devotees seek divine blessings and embrace the spirit of this sacred festival. As we approach Kanya Pujan 2024, let us remember to cherish and respect the girl child, recognizing her as a source of divine energy and strength.
Astroyogi wishes you a joyous and blessed Navratri and Kanya Pujan!
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