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Chaitra Navratri, one of the most revered Hindu festivals, celebrates the divine power of Goddess Durga and her nine manifestations. Spanning nine days, each day is devoted to a different form of the Goddess. In 2025, Chaitra Navratri begins on March 30 and concludes on April 7. Among its many sacred rituals, Kanya Pujan—also known as Kanjak Puja—holds special spiritual importance.
When is Kanya Pujan in 2025?Kanya Pujan is traditionally observed on the eighth (Ashtami) or ninth (Navami) day of Navratri. Devotees perform this puja to honour the feminine energy of the universe by worshipping young girls as embodiments of Goddess Durga.
- Ashtami Kanya Pujan: Saturday, April 5, 2025
- Navami Kanya Pujan: Sunday, April 6, 2025
Auspicious Timings (Shubh Muhurat) for Kanya Pujan
Ashtami Kanya Puja:
- Tithi Begins: April 4 at 8:12 PM
- Tithi Ends: April 5 at 7:26 PM
- Puja Muhurat: 11:59 AM to 12:49 PM
Navami Kanya Puja:
- Tithi Begins: April 5 at 7:26 PM
- Tithi Ends: April 6 at 7:22 PM
- Puja Muhurat: 11:58 AM to 12:49 PM
Why is Kanya Pujan Celebrated?
Kanya Pujan, also known as Kumari or Kumarika Puja, is a sacred ritual where young girls aged 2 to 10 are worshipped as living embodiments of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. They symbolise purity, divine energy, and auspiciousness.
Performing this ritual is believed to invoke the blessings of the Goddess for health, wealth, and spiritual growth.
How to Perform Kanya Puja?
- Invite Girls: Welcome nine young girls into your home.
- Feet Washing: Wash their feet as a mark of respect.
- Apply Tilak and Tie Kalava: Apply kumkum and rice on their foreheads and tie a red thread on their wrists.
- Offer Prasad: Serve Poori, Sooji Halwa, and Kala Chana.
- Give Gifts: Present small tokens like clothes, stationery, sweets, or bangles.
- Seek Blessings: Touch their feet and seek blessings.
Spiritual Meaning Behind the Prasad
- Poori: Symbol of prosperity and fulfilment
- Sooji Halwa: Represents sweetness and joy in life
- Kala Chana: Signifies strength and vitality
Who Can Participate in Kanya Pujan?
Kanya Pujan is performed for girls aged 2 to 10 years who have not reached puberty. These girls are considered to be manifestations of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, including:
- Kumarika
- Trimurti
- Kalyani
- Rohini
- Kali
- Chandika
- Shambhavi
- Durga
- Subhadra
Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Kanya Pujan 2025
- Stationery items (colouring books, pens, notebooks)
- Jewellery and hair accessories
- Chocolate gift boxes
- Toys or cute keychains
- Traditional clothes or bangles
Kanya Pujan is a divine ritual that highlights the power of the feminine force in Hindu philosophy. It serves as a reminder of the sacred energy that nourishes, protects, and uplifts life. By performing this puja with devotion, devotees seek the grace of Maa Durga to bless them with happiness, health, and abundance.
