Mumbai: Kumari Puja, also known as Kanya Puja or Kanjak Puja, is a sacred ritual celebrated during Navratri and Durga Puja to honour young girls as manifestations of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. This revered tradition symbolises purity, innocence, and divine energy, where girls aged between two and ten are worshipped as embodiments of the goddess. In 2024, Kumari Puja will be observed on October 11th, which is the day of Ashtami (the eighth day of Navratri), a day considered highly auspicious for invoking the blessings of the goddess.
The ritual holds profound significance in many Hindu households and temples, with devotees performing Kumari Puja to seek protection, prosperity, and spiritual fulfilment. The Kumari Puja Vidhi involves selecting girls, washing their feet, adorning them with new clothes and jewellery, and offering them a special meal along with prayers and mantras. This ceremonial worship not only reveres the feminine divine but also reflects the nurturing and respectful role of women in Indian culture.
Ashtami Kanya Puja Time 2024
The Ashtami Tithi, or the eighth lunar day, begins at 12:31 PM on October 10, 2024, and ends at 12:06 PM on October 11, 2024. Therefore, the ideal time for performing the Kumari Puja on Ashtami falls within this period. However, the specific time for the ritual may vary according to regional customs and family traditions.
Kumari Puja Vidhi
The ritual of Kumari Puja, or Kumari Pujan Vidhi, involves several steps to honour the young girls who are believed to embody the Goddess Durga. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to perform Kumari Puja:
Selecting the Girls: According to religious texts, girls aged between two and ten years are suitable for Kumari Puja. Each age group represents a different form of Durga, from Kumarika (2-3 years) to Bhadra or Subhadra (9-10 years).
Preparation: The selected girls, known as Kanjaks, are invited to the home. Their feet are washed, and they are presented with gifts, symbolising their status as incarnations of the goddess.
Setting Up the Altar: Prepare an altar with an idol or picture of Goddess Durga. Arrange flowers, incense sticks, a lamp, and offerings like fruits, sweets, and rice.
Offering and Worship: The Kanjaks are seated in a line, and offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets are made to them. Devotees chant Kumari Puja mantras, seeking the goddess’s blessings. The Kanjaks are also fed a special meal prepared for the occasion.
Conclusion of the Puja: After the offerings, the Kanjaks are gifted with new clothes, toys, or other presents as a mark of respect and gratitude. The ceremony concludes with aarti, a ritual of waving lighted lamps before the goddess and distributing prasad, the blessed food, among the devotees.
Kumari Puja Mantra and Importance
Chanting mantras during Kumari Puja is essential, as it is believed to invoke the divine energy of the goddess. One commonly recited mantra is:
“Om Devi Durgaayai Namah”
This mantra, among others, is chanted while performing the rituals to enhance spiritual devotion and sanctity.
Kumari Puja Age Limit
As per religious texts, girls aged between two and ten years are suitable for Kumari Puja. Each age group is associated with a specific form of Goddess Durga, representing different stages of divine energy and purity.
Kumari Puja, with its profound spiritual significance, is a beautiful way to celebrate Navratri. By understanding the correct Vidhi (procedure) and the importance of each ritual element, devotees can ensure they perform this ceremony with the utmost reverence and devotion. Mark your calendars for October 11, 2024, and immerse yourself in the divine blessings of Goddess Durga through Kumari Puja.
Kumari Puja, also known as Kanya Puja or Kanjak, holds great spiritual importance during Navratri. In 2024, it will be observed on October 11th. Learn about the correct time for Ashtami Kanya Puja, the Kumari Puja Vidhi, mantras, and the significance of honouring young girls as symbols of Goddess Durga. Spirituality Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
