The nine forms of Goddess Durga are honored during the fortunate nine-day celebration of Navratri. For Hindus, the last two days of Navratri are immensely important, and they are celebrated with great zeal. Kanya Puja, a popular rite held on Ashtami or Navami, is the centerpiece of these two days. Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri are honored on the eighth and ninth days of the festival. This year, Ashtami falls on April 9, while Ram Navami falls on April 10.
During Navratri, little girls are revered since it is believed that Goddess Durga resides within them. According to tradition, Goddess Durga took on the form of a young girl in order to fight the demon Kalasura. As a result, little girls are idolized since they are thought to be universal creative forces. Kanya Puja, also known as Kanjak Puja, is a Navaratri ritual in which nine girls are worshipped as nine different forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga.
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Durga Ashtami 2022: Date and Shubh Muhurat
According to the Hindu calendar, Durga Ashtami will be observed on April 9.
Starting time: 11:05 pm, April 8
Ending time: 1:23 am April 9
Why do we worship girls on this day?
Kanya Pujan is a prominent Navratri ceremony. According to the Devi Bhagwat Purana, worshipping girls on the ninth day of Navratri blesses worshippers with the real merit of prayers. At the end of Navratri, those who have fasted for nine days are supposed to worship a girl child.
Significance of Kanya Puja?
Devotees welcome the girls into their homes and are made to sit on a pedestal after washing their feet. Following that, a holy thread called Kalawa is knotted across their wrists, and red kumkum is applied to their foreheads. Puri, kala chana, coconut, and halwa are part of a special bhog served to them. Devotees give presents like as red dupattas, new clothes, bangles, and money after the bhoj. The Kanya Pujan ceremony is completed by touching the feet of young girls and asking for their blessings.
It is also believed that worshipping one girl child bestows good luck, two girls bestow perception and salvation, and three girls bestow merit. Worshiping four and five girls, bestows authority and knowledge respectively, while nine Kanya Puja is believed to bestow supremacy.
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