When is Kanya Puja 2023? Date, Shubh Muhurat, Significance and Rituals of Kanjak Puja

NAVRATRI 2023 KANYA PUJA: Kumari Puja/Kanya Puja is an important ritual observed during Navratri or Durga Puja. This year Kanya Puja will be observed on Monday, October 23. It is also referred to as Kumarika Puja. According to religious texts, Kumari Puja is recommended for all nine days of Navratri.

On the first day, only one young girl is worshipped, and an additional girl is added each subsequent day. However, some people choose to perform Kumari Puja on a single day, typically on either Ashtami Puja or Navami Puja. The specific day for Kumari Puja can vary based on one’s family and cultural traditions. For instance, in Belur Math, Kumari Puja is performed on Ashtami Tithi.

Kanya Puja is done on the eighth and ninth days of Navaratri. This Hindu ceremony is commonly observed in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. Some states also perform Kanya Puja on Ram Navami.

According to religious belief, girls aged between two and ten years are considered suitable for Kumari Puja, while one-year-old girls should be excluded. The girls in this age range are seen as representations of various forms of Durga and are referred to as Kumarika, Trimurti, Kalyani, Rohini, Kali, Chandika, Shambhavi, Durga, Bhadra, or Subhadra.

Kanya Puja 2023: Date And Shubh Muhurat

1. On the auspicious days of Durga Ashtami and Mahanavami, worship Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri after sunrise. Afterward, perform the Navratri Havan and then proceed to worship young girls.
2. Specifically, on Durga Ashtami, the Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga is from 06:26 am to 06:44 pm.
3. So, you can perform Kanya Puja on October 22 starting at 06:26 am.
4. On Mahanavami, Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga is from 06:27 am to 05:14 pm, and Ravi Yoga is for the whole day.
5. Therefore, you can perform Kanya Puja any time after 06:27 am on October 23.

Kanya Puja 2023: Significance

On this day, devotees observe a fast and invite young girls to their homes. This ritual is a way to show gratitude to the Supreme Goddess. People worship Brahmacharini, Andraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalarati, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri, who represent the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga. Nowadays, young boys accompany girls on Kanjak.

According to the Bhagavad Purana, the ninth day of Navaratri is believed to fulfill devotees’ wishes. Those who fast for nine days and worship young girls at the end of Navaratri are said to receive blessings.

Worshipping a single girl is thought to bring good luck, two girls symbolize insight and salvation, and three girls are associated with virtue. Children are believed to be blessed with authority and knowledge through this Kanya puja, and worshipping nine girls is thought to bring great blessings and supremacy.

Kanya Puja 2023: Rituals

1. Girls’ feet are washed and placed on a pedestal.
2. Tie a Kalawa, or holy thread, around their wrists, and then mark their foreheads with kumkum.
3. Prepare special foods like puri, halwa, Kala Chana, and coconut.
4. Gifts such as dupattas, bangles, and new outfits should be given to the girls.
5. Touch the feet of the girls, make an offering, and ask for their blessings.