Navratri Kanya Pujan: Significance, Puja and Vidhi
यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते ततर देवताः
यत्रैतास्तु सर्वाष्टत्राफला पूज्यन्ते: क्रिया:” (Manusmriti)
Meaning:
“Where women are revered, there the gods are pleased;
But where they are not honoured, all activities remain fruitless.”
Indeed, women have a divine significance in Hinduism. Navratri is a celebration of that feminine energy. On each day, a form of Maa Durga is worshipped from the penance of Maa Brahmacharini, the smile of Maa Kushmanda who created the world with her silent smile to the anger of Kali.
On the Ashtami or Navami of Navratri, the Kanya Pujan takes place. It involves worshipping 9 young girls, symbolising the purity and innocence of Maa Durga. In some places, it is known as Kanjak.
During Navratri, families invite nine young girls who are under 12-13 years (those who have not attained puberty) old to their homes and worship them as the 9 forms of the nine goddesses or manifestations of Goddess Shakti. This practice pleases Maa Durga. The belief behind this tradition is that girls symbolise the original energy of creation, and these young girls represent the very first energy that inspired the universe’s creation and the gods. Therefore, they deserve great respect and admiration.
Significance of Navratri Kanya Pujan
Although God resides in every child, young girls are especially believed to be a form of Maa Durga.
Navratri Kanya Pujan bestows the blessings of Maa Durga. The act of washing the girls’ feet, feeding them, and offering them new clothes is a symbol of devotion, respect, and a recognition of the divine in the girl child. It also helps one in spiritual fulfilment as it allows them to connect with the divine.
It also provides relief from poverty and financial hardships and aids in attaining wisdom and achieving success. It clears away fears and dispels negative energies.
As per Hindu beliefs, inviting and worshipping different numbers of girls will give you different blessings,
- When a person worships 1 girl child, it brings him good fortune,
- When a person worships 2 girl children, it brings him perception and salvation,
- When a person worships 3 girl children, it brings him merit,
- When a person worships 4 girl children, it brings him authority,
- When a person worships 5 girl children, it brings him knowledge,
- When a person worships 6 girl children, it brings him six types of Siddhis or fulfilments
- When a person worships 7 girl children, it brings him power and kingdom
- When a person worships 8 girl children, it brings him wealth
- When a person worships 9 girl children, it brings him supremacy
Though, an act as pure as worshipping a girl should be done regardless of expected outcome, behind every karma, intention is the most important aspect.
Navratri Kanya Pujan Vidhi
Follow these simple procedures to perform the Kanyan Pujan:
- Invite nine young girls to your home or a designated sacred space.
- Cleanse and purify the area where the puja will take place. Create an altar with images or idols of Devi Durga and decorate it with flowers, incense, and a lamp.
- Get ready with offerings like fruits, sweets, new clothes, and gifts for the young girls.
- Follow the traditional rituals, which usually include washing the girls’ feet, applying a sacred tilak on their foreheads, offering them blessed prasad and gifting them new clothes.
- Recite prayers and mantras dedicated to Devi Durga during the puja.
- After the puja, distribute prasad to the young girls and seek their blessings.
- In some places, a boy of the same age is also invited in the form of Bhairav (Shiva).
If you have any query regarding any part of the puja or want to get a detailed explanation, feel at ease to reach out to our experienced pundits and astrologers at NamoAstro.
Navratri Kanya Pujan is one of the purest ways to connect with the divine spiritual energy. By honouring the girl child, we pay homage to the embodiment of Devi Durga’s divine energy and invite her blessings into our homes and hearts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What items are required for Navratri Kanya Pujan?
A: You will need images or idols of Devi Durga, flowers, incense, a lamp, fruits, sweets, new clothes for the girls (not necessary) and gifts.
Q: Can anyone perform Navratri Kanya Pujan?
A: Yes, anyone can perform this puja to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga
Q: Is there any specific mantra to recite during the puja?
A: Yes, you can recite mantras dedicated to Goddess Durga during the puja, such as the Durga Chalisa or any other Devi mantras.
