Hello Friends!

Chaitra Navratri 2024 is coming soon. This is not only the time of devotion to Goddess Durga, but is also a special occasion for Kanya Puja. Kanya Puja is also known as Kumarika Bhoj, in which nine girls and boys are worshiped and given food considering them as the mother.

Navratri 2024: Dates

Chaitra Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana, let’s take a look at the dates this year:

• Chaitra Navratri Start:  9 April 2024
• Chaitra Navratri ends:  17 April 2024
• Ghatasthapana:  9 April 2024

Importance of Kanya Puja:

For nine days we worship various forms of Mother Goddess during Navratri. The mother queen also resides among the child girls. Therefore, the tradition of worshiping nine girls in their symbolic form and feeding them is carried out. In this way the devotees express their devotion and faith towards the Mother Goddess and become entitled to the immense blessings of the Mother Goddess.

How to perform Kanya Puja:

• Take bath in the morning and worship the Mother Goddess.
• prepare the food. Be sure to include kheer, puri, desi gram and halwa etc. in the Kanyabhoj.
• Call the girls and wash their feet with pure water.
• Tilak all the girls with Roli and Akshat.
• Feed them lovingly.
• There is a tradition of having a feast along with nine girls and a small boy, who is called Kanjak, who is considered to be the form of Bhairav ​​Baba.

Keep this in mind:

• After Kanya Puja, giving Dakshina to girls has special significance.
• According to your capacity, while bidding farewell to the girls, offer grains, money or clothes etc. and seek blessings by touching their feet.

Some important things related to Kanya Puja:

• Performing Kanya Puja on Ashtami and Navami days of Navratri is considered most auspicious and fruitful.
• If for some reason you are not able to perform Kanya Puja on Ashtami and Navami, then you can perform Kanya Puja on any day during the 9 days of Navratri.
• If you are not able to find nine girls, then worship only those girls you have. Feed the rest of the girls’ share of food to the cow.

Benefits of Kanya Puja:

• Kanya Puja brings happiness and prosperity to the family.
• Mother Durga’s blessings shower.
• Negative energy goes away.
• The mind gets peace.

Method of worshiping girl:

1. Preparation:

• Organize Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami Tithi of Navratri.
• Wake up early in the morning, take bath and wear clean clothes.
• Clean the puja place and install the idol or picture of Goddess Durga.
• Spread seats for the girls to sit.
• Collect puja materials.

2. Pooja Samagri:

• Food for at least 9 girls (kheer, puri, vegetable, sweets etc.).
• Money, fruits, clothes etc. for Dakshina.
• Roli, Akshat, sandalwood, flowers, lamp, incense sticks etc.
• Plate, water, and towel to wash the feet of girls.

3. Method of worship:

• Worship Goddess Durga.
• Call the girls and welcome them.
• Wash the feet of the girls and make them sit on the seat.
• Tilak the girls and apply sandalwood on them.
• Offer fruits, flowers and sweets to the girls.
• Feed the girls.
• Give Dakshina to girls and get their blessings.

4. Mantras for worshiping girls:

• “Om Jai Devi Durga, Bhavani, Bhavani, Shankar Priya.
• Hello Goddess Durga, Almighty.
• Or Goddess Sarvabhuteshu, institution in the form of Mother Durga.
• Namastesayee Namastesayee Namastesayee Namo Namah. ,

Hope this information will be useful for you.

Thank you!