Kanya Puja is an integral part of Navratris. Known by different names, Kanjak or kanjika is a sacred ritual to honour the divine power of the goddess Durga. It’s believed that maa Durga fought off Kalasura in the form of a small girl. Thus the prepubescent girls are considered the reincarnation of Goddess Durga in the Hindu belief system.
Kanya Pujan holds a special place in Hindu tradition. It is observed during the auspicious eighth and ninth days of Navratri, a nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Also known as Kanjak Puja, Kanya puja is completed when nine little girls are idolized to replicate the Navadurga or nine avatars of maa Durga.
In this blog, we will dig deep into the beliefs associated with Kanya Pooja, its significance, and the rituals of Kanjak Pooja.
Imagae Credit:- Pinterest/Shachi Shrivastava
When is Kanya Puja 2023?
Kanya Puja in 2023 falls on the ninth day of Navratri, which is also known as Navami. In 2023, Navami is on the 23rd of October. Devotees can also arrange the Kanya Puja rituals on the eighth day of Navratri or on the 22nd of October, 2023.
It’s believed that children are the most sacred and purest ones among us. They hold no evil in their hearts. These little girls between the ages of 2 to 10 exude Goddess Durga's divine energy.
The nine forms of Maa Durga worshipped during Kanya pujan are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
Image Credit:- Pinterest/Lliacat
Kanya Puja Significance
Every Indian festival is related to Indian mythology in one way or another, and so is the Kanya Puja. Based on the story of defeating Kalasura in the form of a young girl, Goddess Durga marked the beginning of the tradition of Kanjak Pooja. Let’s get to know its significance:
1. Celebrating the Divine Feminine
Kanya Puja celebrates the divine feminine energy embodied by Goddess Durga. Along with young girls, the power of feminine energy also remains behind the popularity of this puja. As feminine energy nurtures and protects from 10 sins, the puja denotes that women deserve appreciation for the roles they perform.
2. Blessings and Good Fortune
It is a common belief that one can receive blessings and good fortune from the Goddess Durga by worshipping young girls. It is a way to welcome positivity into one's life. It reminds us that we are also a part of the Maa Durga.
3. Respect for Girl Child
To this day, in many Indian households, female kids are not wanted. Kanya Puja promotes the idea of respecting and cherishing the girl child, breaking away from traditional gender biases and stereotypes. The puja helps us understand how girl children are no less than their male counterparts.
4. Karmic Benefits
Offering prayers and gifts to young girls is believed to cleanse one's karma and bring about positive life changes. Devotees might experience financial benefits and get away from the clasp of miseries.
Image Credit:- Pinterest/Sumegha Bhatnagar
Kanya Puja Rituals
Similar to other Hindu festivals, Navratri Kanya Pujan is also a fusion of several steps. Each step has its importance and skipping any one of them makes the puja incomplete. The steps are listed below:
1. Preparation
To perform Kanya Puja, you must invite nine girls to symbolize the Navadurga (nine forms of Goddess Durga) and one boy (langur). Prepare a clean and auspicious space for them to sit.
2. Invitation
The girls and the boy remain dressed in new clothes and adorned with bindis and bangles.
3. Washing Their Feet
As a mark of respect, devotees wash the feet of the girls. Then they tie a holy thread or Kalawa on their wrists and draw a tilak using kumkum.
4. Offerings
Each girl sits on a piece of cloth and is given a plate of halwa, puri, and sweets.
5. Mantras and Aarti
The priest or the head of the household recites mantras and performs an aarti (ritual with a lit lamp) to invoke the blessings of Goddess Durga upon the family or devotees. Puja thalis are decorated with puja essentials before the puja rituals.
6. Gifts
After the puja, the girls are presented with Kanjak gifts that may contain a host of things like bangles, clothes, stationaries, toys or other presents as a token of gratitude.
Image Credit:- Pinterest/Priya Mahalankar
Kanya Puja is not just a ritual; it is a celebration of the divine feminine energy and a reminder of the importance of respect for the girl child. One can seek the blessings of Goddess Durga and invite positivity into their life by participating in Kanya Puja in Navratri.
As we eagerly await Kanya Puja in 2023, let us remember the significance of this beautiful tradition and participate with devotion and joy. It is not only a religious practice but also a social message that resonates with the values of love, respect, and equality.
If you are planning to arrange Kanya Puja this Navratri, check iTokri’s Kanya Puja gifts and toys and stationeries collection. Present the cute gift items from our Indian Handicraft online store to little girls to make their day and see them gleaming in joy. The young girls will not only receive something that they can actually use but they are also highly affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions on Kanya Puja:
1. What is the importance of Kanya Poojan?
Kanya Poojan is a celebration of young girls and Goddess Durga’s win over the demon Kalasura. It celebrates the significance of the divine feminine energy and brings blessings and good fortune into one's life.
2. How many girls are required for Kanya Pujan?
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.
3. Who is eligible for Kanya Puja?
Anyone can participate in the sacred Kanya Puja rituals. But only prepubescent girls are worshipped as the divine form of Goddess Durga.
Rashmi
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Nice info..my grand daughter is called for the kanya pooja tommorow ,so wanted to know..