How to do kanya puja in navratri | Step by Step

How to do kanya puja in navratri - Kanya Puja, also known as Kumari Puja, is a significant ritual performed during Navratri to honor young girls as embodiments of the Goddess Durga. It is traditionally done on the eighth (Ashtami) or ninth (Navami) day of Navratri. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to performing Kanya Puja during Navratri.

How to do kanya puja in navratri

This ritual symbolizes the worship of young girls (usually 9) as incarnations of Goddess Durga, representing purity, innocence, and the divine feminine energy. The ritual holds great significance and is believed to invoke the blessings of the Goddess for prosperity and happiness. Below is a step-by-step guide to performing Kanya Pujan during Navratri.

Step 1: Preparation for the Puja

1. Clean the Puja Area: Begin by thoroughly cleaning the area where you will perform the puja. Purity is essential for any religious ritual.
2. Set up the Puja Altar: Arrange a place for the puja with a clean cloth or mat. Place a picture or idol of Goddess Durga, flowers, and other puja items on the altar.
3. Prepare the Prasad: Traditionally, a meal of Halwa, Puri, and Chana (black gram) is prepared for the Kanya Puja. You can also make other sweets and dishes that are appropriate for the ritual.

Step 2: Selecting the Kanyas

1. Choose the Girls: Invite young girls, usually aged between 2 and 10 years, to your home. Ideally, nine girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are invited, but you can perform the puja with fewer girls as well.
2. Include One Boy: In some traditions, a boy is included with the Kanyas, symbolizing Bhairav, the protector deity of Goddess Durga.

Step 3: Welcoming the Kanyas

1. Wash Their Feet: As the Kanyas arrive, wash their feet with clean water in a ceremonial manner. This act represents purity and devotion.
2. Apply Tilak: Place a red tilak (vermilion) on their foreheads and offer them akshat (rice mixed with turmeric) as a sign of blessing.
3. Tie the Kalawa: Tie a sacred thread called Kalawa around their wrists. This is a protective thread and is tied with reverence.

Step 4: Offering the Prasad

1. Seating the Kanyas: Make the girls sit comfortably, ensuring they are treated with love and respect. They are considered to be manifestations of the Goddess.
2. Serve the Meal: Offer them the specially prepared meal of Halwa, Puri, and Chana. You can also add fruits, sweets, and other offerings to their meal.
3. Chant Prayers: While serving the food, you may chant Navratri prayers or Durga Chalisa to invoke the blessings of the Goddess Durga.

Step 5: Performing Aarti

1. Perform the Aarti: Light a lamp (diya) and perform the aarti in front of the Kanyas. Sing a Durga aarti or any devotional song dedicated to Goddess Durga.
2. Shower Flowers: While doing the aarti, sprinkle flowers on the Kanyas to honor them.

Step 6: Offering Gifts

1. Gift the Kanyas: After the meal, offer small gifts like clothes, bangles, or toys to the girls as a mark of respect and appreciation.
2. Give Dakshina: Along with the gifts, it is customary to offer dakshina (monetary offering) to each girl as a token of blessings.

Step 7: Seeking Blessings

1. Touch Their Feet: After the puja, touch the feet of each Kanya as a sign of respect and to seek their blessings. Since they represent Goddess Durga, it is believed that their blessings bring prosperity and happiness.
2. Thank the Kanyas: After the puja concludes, thank the Kanyas for participating in the ritual and see them off with love and respect.

Additional Tips:

• Time of Puja: The puja is usually done in the morning or before noon.
• Fasting: Some devotees observe fasting on the day of Kanya Puja and break their fast after feeding the girls.
• Devotion: Perform the puja with full devotion, maintaining a peaceful and positive environment.

Significance of Kanya Pujan

• Invoking the Divine Feminine: Kanya Pujan celebrates the essence of femininity and worships the child-goddess, honoring her purity and divine energy.
• Blessings of Prosperity: It is believed that by worshipping Kanyas, devotees invite the blessings of Goddess Durga for wealth, happiness, and protection from all negative forces.
• Symbol of Innocence and Purity: The young girls represent untainted innocence, making the ritual a significant spiritual act to attain spiritual purity and peace.

Conclusion

Kanya Puja is a beautiful tradition that symbolizes respect for the feminine divine power. 

By following these simple steps with sincerity and devotion, you can perform Kanya Puja during Navratri to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga for peace, prosperity, and protection for your family.

It’s a heartfelt ritual that reinforces the significance of purity, devotion, and kindness in our everyday lives during the festive period of Navratri.