| More

Kumari Puja or Kanya Pooja during Durga Navratri

Kumari Puja or Kanya Pooja is an important ritual during Durga Navratri puja. Usually, Kanya Kumari Puja is observed on Mahaastami (Durga Ashtami) day. Maha Astami is the eighth day of Durga Navratri Puja. Kanya Puja is also known as Kanjak Ashtami Puja in some regions.

When is Kanya Puja celebrated in 2009?
 In 2009, during Durga Navratri Kanya Puja is celebrated on September 26, Saturday. In some places it is celebrated on September 27 in 2009.

What is Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja? 
Kanya or Kumari Puja is a ritual of worshipping a girl aged between six and twelve, symbolising the Kanya Kumari (virgin) form of Goddess Durga Devi. Devotees perform the Kanya Puja in front of the idol of Goddess Durga. Devotees believe that a Kanya is a living replica of the Goddess Durga.

How is Kumari Puja Performed?
The devotees or the performers of Kumari Puja kneel down in front of the Kumari and decorate her feet with turmeric powder. The Kumari is adorned with flowers and Tilak or sindhur is kept on her forehead. Devotees perform the Kanya Puja with reciting mantras and slokas of Goddess Durga Devi.

The Legend of Kanya Puja – Why is Kumari Puja Performed?
As per the Hindu scriptures, Kumari Puja is observed to rememorize the demolition of the demon Kalasura by the Goddess Maha Kali. Legend tells that the demon Kolasura occupied the heavens and the earth. All Gods were helpless and tired with the bad actions of Kolasura. They approached Goddess Mahakali for help. The goddess was born again as Goddess Durga Devi and demolished Kolasura. Devotees perform dances and special aartis during the celebration of Kumari Pooja .

How to Select a Kanya or Kumari?
A young girl aged 1 year to 12 years who is not attained puberty is considered as a Kanya for Kanya Puja. The Kumari is named according to her age: 1 year – Sandhya, 2 years – Saraswati, 3 years – Tridhamurthi, 4 years – Kalika, 5 years – Subhaga, 6 years – Uma, 7 years – Malini, 8 years – Kuvjika, 9 years – Kalasandarbha, 10 years – Aparajita, 11 years – Rudrani, 12 years – Bhairavi, and 13 years – Mahalaxmi.

Related Posts:
Kumari Pooja Procedure - Durga Navaratri Kanya Puja
Durgashtami - Durga Ashtami Puja
Kanya Puja - Worship of Young Girls During Durga Navratri
Kanya Puja 2009 - Kumari Pooja during Durga Navratri
Batukamma 2010 - Batukamma Festival date in 2010

Tags : , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1

Comments:

Overstock Sale - Save up to 75% (468x60)

(5) posted on Kumari Puja or Kanya Pooja during Durga Navratri

  1. Is Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja observed in South Indian states? What is the difference between suhasini puja and Kumari puja?

    Posted by Brij Mohan on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:14 PM

  2. Hi Brij,
    Kanya puja is observed in South Indian states also. During Suhasini puja, married women are worshipped as Goddess and in Kanya or Kumari Puja a young girl, who has not attained puberty, is worshipped as Kanya Kumari (Goddess).

    Posted by NAVEEN KUMAR SANAGALA on 21 Jun 2009 at 8:46 PM

  3. I will like to give 9 bags to these little girls on Saturday, what should I include in these bags?

    Posted by Artie on 22 Sep 2009 at 9:52 PM

  4. A dress, some food items, flowers, turmeric powder packet, vermillion or kumkum powder packet, and some other cosmetics if you want to. Give some amount as dakshina. You can get blessings from them by putting turmeric paste to their foot.

    Posted by NAVEEN KUMAR SANAGALA on 22 Sep 2009 at 10:00 PM

  5. [...] important day in Durga Navratri and Durga Puja. Durgashtami 2009 date is September 26. On this day, Kumari Puja and Suhasini Puja are performed. In Bengal, Sandhi Puja is observed at the conjunction Durgashtami [...]

    Posted by Durgashtami 2009 – Moola Nakshatra Durga Navratri Puj on 19 Dec 2009 at 8:39 AM

Post your comments:

Tag Cloud: 9 Goddesses of Durga Navratri, Birth Stars in Hindu Astrology, Chaitra Month, Chaitra Month 2010, Deepavali, Deepavali 2009, Diwali, Diwali 2009, Durga Navratri, Durga Navratri 2009, Durga Navratri 2010, durga navratri in south indian temples, Durga Puja, Durga Puja dates in 2009, Falgun Month, Falgun Month 2010, Festivals in Chaitra month, Festivals in Kartik Month, Goddess Devi Stotra, Hindu Astrology, Hindu Festivals and Auspicious Days in Ashada Masam, Hindu Festivals and Auspicious Days in August 2009, Hindu Festivals and Auspicious Days in Bhadrapada masam, Hindu Festivals and Auspicious days in December 2009, Hindu Festivals and Auspicious Days in July 2009, Hindu Festivals and Auspicious Days in October in 2009, Hindu Festivals and Auspicious Days in Shravan Month, Hindu Festivals in January 2010, Hindu Festivals March 2010, Hindu Months, Holi, Holi 2010, Kartik month, Kartik Month 2009, Kartik Rituals and vratas, Lord Shiva Stotras, Magh Month, Magh Month 2010, Navratri 2010, Rituals and Customs during Shravan Mas, Shivaratri 2010, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, TTD Updates, Ugadi, Ugadi 2010
Hindupad is solely dedicated – by the universal truth, for the path of light, to the immortal divinity.