Chaitra Navratri is one of the most sacred Hindu festivals, dedicated to the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Among its most cherished rituals is Kanya Poojan, performed traditionally on Ashtami (April 5, 2025) and Navami (April 6, 2025). This sacred practice involves revering young girls as incarnations of the goddess herself—a pure, beautiful expression of devotion and gratitude.
The Navratri festival is rich with rituals and prayers, but the eighth (Ashtami) and ninth (Navami) days are particularly significant in a spiritual sense. Devotees believe that honoring young girls can bring prosperity, eliminate obstacles, and channel the divine energy of Maa Durga. The practice of Kanya Poojan is rooted in the belief that Devi Durga resides within every woman, with her purest essence reflected in young, innocent girls.
By worshipping them, devotees make an offering to the goddess herself. In accordance with Hindu customs, nine girls (Nav Kanya) and one boy (known as Batuk Bhairav) are venerated. Each girl symbolizes a unique aspect of Durga, representing qualities such as strength, wisdom, courage, and compassion. Kanya Poojan also serves as a powerful reminder to respect and nurture the girl child, instilling values that honor and elevate femininity for future generations.
When to Perform Kanya Poojan in 2025?
Ashtami Tithi Begins: April 4, 2025, at 08:12 PM
Ashtami Tithi Ends: April 5, 2025, at 07:26 PM
Navami Tithi Begins: April 5, 2025, at 07:26 PM
Navami Tithi Ends: April 6, 2025, at 07:22 PM
Devotees can choose to perform Kanya Poojan on either of these auspicious days, depending on family tradition or convenience.
Kanya Poojan Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)
Invite the Girls in Advance: Choose 1 to 9 young girls (below 10 years of age) and one young boy to represent Batuk Bhairav. Invite them a day prior with love and respect. Prepare a Clean and Sacred Space: Clean the puja area. Decorate it with flowers, rangoli, and light incense and diyas to create a holy ambiance. Wash Their Feet: On their arrival, respectfully wash the feet of each child with water mixed with milk, rose petals, or turmeric, symbolizing humility and reverence. Offer Tilak and Chunni: Apply kumkum or sandalwood tilak on each girl’s forehead.
You can also offer them a chunni or dupatta, symbolic of devotion and respect. Serve Prasad and Meal: Prepare a traditional meal—usually consisting of poori, chana (chickpeas), halwa, and serve it to the children. This meal is considered sacred and full of divine blessings. Give Dakshina and Gifts: After the meal, offer dakshina (money), sweets, fruits, and small gifts or toys as a token of love and respect. Touch Their Feet and Take Blessings: Conclude the ritual by touching the feet of each child, seeking their blessings with folded hands. End with Gratitude and Prayer: Offer a small prayer to Maa Durga for peace, health, and prosperity, and seek forgiveness for any shortcomings in the ritual.
A Ritual Beyond Religion
Kanya Poojan is not just a religious ceremony—it is a celebration of life, innocence, and womanhood. In a world constantly evolving, such traditions root us in values of humility, gratitude, and gender respect. Involving children in this tradition also helps pass down spiritual knowledge and cultivates love for cultural heritage. It reinforces the timeless message: “Where women are worshipped, there the gods dwell.”
As you prepare to celebrate Ashtami and Navami during Chaitra Navratri 2025, embrace the opportunity to honor the goddess through Kanya Poojan. This simple yet powerful ritual reconnects us to the divine feminine and reminds us of the grace and strength that lies in nurturing and revering young lives.
