Significance of Kanya Pujan During Navratri 2025
Understanding Kanya Pujan
Kanya Pujan 2025: Navratri is a prominent festival in India that celebrates the divine feminine energy, Shakti. Over the nine days of this festival, devotees honor the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. Kanya Pujan, also referred to as Kanjak Pujan, is particularly significant on the eighth and ninth days. In this ritual, young girls and a small boy (Languria/Bhairav) are invited, honored, and worshipped.
Scriptural texts indicate that girls embody the essence of Goddess Durga. The Devi Bhagavata states, "In places where girls are revered, Goddess Durga resides, pleased." For devotees, observing fasts and performing rituals during Navratri culminates in Kanya Pujan, which is believed to fulfill their wishes and bring joy and prosperity when performed with devotion.
The Nine Forms of Navadurga
According to the Devi Bhagavatam, the nine girls honored during Kanya Pujan represent the nine forms of Navadurga. These Navkumaris are seen as living embodiments of the Goddess, typically aged between two to ten years.
A two-year-old girl is referred to as 'Kumarika', whose worship is said to enhance wealth and longevity.
The three-year-old, known as 'Trimurti', is believed to bring happiness and prosperity to households.
Worshipping a four-year-old girl, 'Kalyani', is thought to facilitate auspicious events like marriage.
Offering prayers to a five-year-old girl, 'Rohini', is associated with health benefits.
The six-year-old, 'Kalika', is believed to help overcome adversaries.
Worshipping an eight-year-old girl, 'Shambhavi', is said to eliminate sorrow and poverty.
The nine-year-old, 'Durga', is believed to cure serious ailments and assist in overcoming challenges.
Finally, honoring a ten-year-old girl, 'Subhadra', is associated with attaining salvation.
According to the Devi Bhagavatam, only girls under ten should participate in Kumari Puja, as Goddess Mahashakti is not pleased without Kanya Pujan.
Performing Kanya Pujan
On Maha Ashtami or Maha Navami, after taking a bath, devotees should first worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Gauri.
Next, invite nine girls and a boy for the Kanya Pujan ceremony.
Begin the puja by welcoming the girls warmly.
Wash the feet of each girl with clean water, dry them with a cloth, and have them sit comfortably.
Apply a tilak of kumkum and rice on their foreheads.
Wrap a sacred thread around their wrists.
Light a ghee lamp and perform aarti for all the girls.
After the aarti, offer them puris, chana, halwa, and coconut as offerings.
Post-meal, present them with gifts according to your means.
Finally, seek their blessings by touching their feet and give them Akshat (rice grains), asking them to sprinkle some in their homes.
The Significance of Kanya Pujan
Hindu scriptures suggest that girls aged two to ten are ideal for Kanya Pujan, representing various forms of Goddess Durga. Additionally, a boy symbolizing Bhairav Baba or Hanuman Ji is included in the ritual. It is believed that honoring Kanya on the eighth and ninth days pleases Goddess Durga, ensuring her blessings for the family.
Kanya Pujan teaches respect for women, urging devotees to pledge lifelong respect and safety for girls and women. This tradition emphasizes the importance of women's power in society, reinforcing the idea that women are integral to creation and should be revered. By honoring girls, society can foster a positive perception of daughters, viewing them as symbols of strength and fortune rather than burdens.
Conclusion
Through Kanya Pujan, devotees not only seek blessings but also promote a culture of respect and empowerment for women, ensuring that the spirit of Navratri is truly celebrated.