Maha Navami: Know About Shubh Muhurat Date For Kanya Pujan 2023, Time, Rituals And Other Details

Navratri is a festival dedicated to honouring the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. Over these nine days, devotees fervently seek her divine blessings through prayers and offerings. The festival comes to an end with Maha Ashtami and Navami Puja. On the eighth day of Navratri, Mahagauri, the eighth manifestation of Maa Durga, is venerated. The ninth day is celebrated as Maha Navami, dedicated to worshipping Maa Siddhidatri. Mahanavami also marks the conclusion of Durga Puja, and on this day, Kanjak, or Kanya Pujan, is performed. Below, we delve into the auspicious timings, dates, and other essential details related to Maha Navami 2023.

What Is The Significance Of Maha Navami?

Maha Navami as the name suggests fall on the ninth day of Navratri festival celebrated by the Indian diaspore across India and abroad. It is one of the most significant days of the festival as it marks the end of the nine day long festival and fasts. It is also symbolic of Goddess Durga's victory over the demon Mahishasura.

What Is Kanya Pujan?

Young girls worshipped on this day are considered manifestations of Goddess Durga herself. The ritual of worshipping nine girls along with one boy, known as Langur, holds significance and is referred to as Kanjak Puja or Kanya Pujan. This ceremony is accompanied by the offering of a delectable meal (bhog). Kanjak Puja is conducted because children are believed to possess the purest of souls, devoid of negative emotions. Worshipping nine girls during this puja is akin to paying homage to Goddess Durga in her nine distinct avatars.

Significance Of Kanya Pujan

Kanjak Puja serves as an additional way to express gratitude to the Divine Goddess. Nine young girls are warmly welcomed into the home and honoured with gifts and a delicious meal (bhog). These nine girls symbolise the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga, namely Sailaputri, Brahmacharini, Andraghanta, Kusamanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. These girls, who have not yet reached puberty, embody these divine aspects and are reverently worshipped.

Shubh Muhurat Date And Time For Maha Navami 2023

During these nine auspicious days, people partake in fasting rituals and perform the revered Kanya Pujan. It is believed that Navratri fasting remains incomplete without the observance of Kanya Pujan. This year, Maha Navami falls on October 22, 2023. On this day, those observing Navratri fasts conclude by offering traditional dishes such as Poori, Sooji Halwa, and Sukha Kala Chana to young girls, known as Kanjak or Kanya Pujan.

The Kanya Pujan Tithi for Navami commences on Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 7:58 PM and concludes on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 5:44 PM.

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What Are The Rituals For Kanya Pujan 2023?

According to tradition, Kanjak Puja begins with the ritual of washing the feet of young girls aged between 2 and 10 years. Following this, a vermilion (kumkum) and rice (Akshat) tilak are applied to their foreheads, and a sacred thread (kalava) is tied around their wrists. Subsequently, the girls are served prasad, starting with tender coconut, followed by a meal consisting of Poori, halwa, and Kala chana.

As a token of devotion and respect, the young girls are also offered gifts, which may include money, jewellery, clothing, toys, and more. At the culmination of the puja, devotees seek the girls' blessings by touching their feet. Once the young girls have departed, devotees conclude their fast by partaking in the remaining food.

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