Kanjak, also known as Kanya Pujan or Kumari Puja, is a major Hindu ceremony that honors young girls as incarnations of Goddess Durga during Navratri. Celebrated mostly on the eighth (Ashtami) or ninth (Navami) day of Navratri, this custom honors the divine feminine force (Shakti) existing in every girl child.
Significance of Kanya Poojan
Inspired by Hindu mythology and scriptures, Kanya Poojan emphasizes the purity, strength, and nurturing qualities of the feminine divine. The concept revolves around the idea that Maa Durga, in the guise of a little child, battled and vanquished demons, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Those who honor young females pursue karmic rewards, spiritual development, and financial success. It also advances respect for women in society and gender equality.
Why Do We Celebrate Kanjak?
- Honoring the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga (Navadurga), the ceremony celebrates Divine Feminine Energy.
- Young girls are thought to symbolize Devi’s pure and divine nature, free from sin.
- Seeking Blessings & Prosperity: Worshippers say serving young girls brings success, knowledge, and good fortune.
- Spiritual and social messages inspire respect for women, compassion, and equality.
- People believe that giving food and presents can help to clear negative karma and bring heavenly favors.
Rules & Rituals of Kanya Pooja
Navratri Kanya Pujan operates under certain customs and rules:
1. Preparation:
- Please ensure the area where the puja will take place is tidy and decorated.
- Sort necessities like kumkum, rice, flowers, holy thread, fresh clothing, and special dinners.
2. Inviting the Girls:
- Usually, nine girls (from Navadurga) and one boy (Langur) are invited.
- Between 2 to 12 years old, the girls represent several phases of feminine vitality.
- New garments, bindis, and bangles adorn them.
3. Feet Washing & Tilak:
- Devotees wash the feet of the little girls as a sign of respect and purity.
- Apply kumkum (tilak) on their foreheads and tie a holy thread (kalawa).
4. Offerings & Special Meals:
- The girls are served traditional food:
- Halwa (sweet dish—signifies wealth)
- Puri, fried bread, represents nutrition.
- Chane, seasoned chickpeas, symbolizes strength and thankfulness.
- In addition to meals, people give gifts as a show of gratitude and blessings
5. Seeking Blessings:
- Devotees touch the feet of the young girls to seek their blessings and divine grace.
- Aarti and mantras are recited to invoke the divine presence of Maa Durga.
Kanya Puja Gift Ideas
The custom calls for young females to present gifts. Some typical present ideas consist of:
- Clothing like sarees, lehengas, and traditional gowns.
- Jewelry includes necklaces, earrings, and bangles.
- Books, stationery, and classroom materials are considered educational tools.
- Prasad and sweets: peda, kheer, chocolates.
- Accessories included backpacks, scarves, and hair clips.
Concept of Kumari Puja
Like Kanya Pujan, Kumari Puja is a holy ceremony carried out all throughout India, but particularly in West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Nepal. Selecting one young girl to symbolize the live form of Goddess Durga makes this exercise more complex. Devotees reverently make great offerings to the girl, viewing her as the heavenly embodiment of Shakti.
Kanya Pujan Dates for 2025
| Event | Date and Time |
| Chaitra Durgashtami 2025 | Saturday, April 5, 2025 |
| Ashtami Tithi Begins | 08:12 PM on April 4, 2025 |
| Ashtami Tithi Ends | 07:26 PM on April 5, 2025 |
Respected, devoted, and grateful for the divine feminine energy, Kanya Pujan is a spiritually enhancing and socially meaningful custom. It reminds society of the need to respect women and young daughters, therefore strengthening the message of equality, wealth, and benefits. Through engaging in this holy ceremony, followers honor Navratri’s divine authority and help to create a more civilized and powerful community.
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