Kanya Pujan (kanjak) on Ashtami/ Navami Navratri-Rohit Kumar Parmar

Kanya Pujan (kanjak) on Ashtami/ Navami Navratri

-Rohit Kumar Parmar

Kanya pujan (Kanjak) is an important part of Navratri/Durga puja. According to “Devi Purana”, when Lord Indra asked Lord Brahma, how to please Maa Bhagwati, Lord Brahma told him that Kanya pujan is the best procedure for it. Kanya Pujan (Kumari Puja) is a major custom without which the sadhna of Maa Durga is not complete. Kanya Pujan is observed by inviting nine young girls who represent the nine forms of Maa Amba, as a symbol of pure creative force. Only after completion of Kanya Pujan, navratri vrat is accomplished.

The process of Kanya pujan could include

Invite nine young girls, aged 2-10 to your home and also one small boy, a form of Lord Hanuman

Pray to Goddess Durga

Wash the feet of the girls and apply tikka on their forehead, tie mauli (मौली red holi thread) on their wrist

Serve them halwa, puri, chane ki sabji

After you feed them touch their feet and seek blessings

Give them some money.