Kanya Puja 2023 | Kumari Pooja during Navratri Durga Puja

Kanya Puja, Kumari Pooja or Kanjak Pooja, is the main ritual observed during Navratri Durga Puja. In 2023, Kanya Puja date is October 22. In some regions, Kanya Pooja is performed on Durgashtami (October 22) or on Mahanavami (October 23).

During Chaitra Navaratri, Kanya Puja date is March 29, 2023.

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.

Read Kanya Puja vidhi, procedure of Kanya Puja here..

A young girl aged 1 year to 12 years who is not attained puberty considered as a Kanya for Kanya Puja. The Kanya 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.

Kanya Puja is a main ritual of Mahanavami in Bengal during Durga Pooja.

First day of Navratri

Second day of Navratri

Third day of Navratri

Fourth day of Navratri

Fifth day of Navratri

Sixth day of Navratri

Seventh day of Navratri

Eighth day of Navratri

Ninth day of Navratri