pujas and observances
What is a Kanya puja during Navratri and who qualifies as a kanya?
What the tradition holds
In Kanya puja, young girls are not simply honored guests. They are seen as Devi herself, present in human form. The word kanya means a young, unmarried girl. The tradition holds that during Navratri the goddess is especially present in children of this age, making the ritual a direct act of worship rather than a symbolic one. Puranic tradition, including the Devi Bhagavata Purana, describes this practice and gives it deep religious weight. It is also called Kumari puja in some regions.
The nine girls and the nine goddesses
Nine girls are invited, one for each of the nine forms of Devi celebrated during Navratri. Each age group, from around two years old up to about ten, is linked to a different form of the goddess. A two-year-old is associated with one form, a three-year-old with another, and so on. The number nine connects directly to the nine nights of Navratri and the nine aspects of Devi. In practice, many families invite however many girls they can, aiming for nine where possible.
How the puja is done
The girls are welcomed with care. Their feet are washed, which is a mark of deep respect in the tradition, the same gesture offered to a deity or a revered elder. A tilak is applied to their foreheads. They are then offered a meal that typically includes puri, chana, and halwa, foods that are traditional to this ritual across many households. Gifts are also given, often a small amount of money, a dupatta, or something practical. The family performing the puja seeks the goddess's blessing through the girls.
How it varies and where it is done today
Kanya puja is most widely observed in North India, but families across India and in the diaspora keep the practice. The exact day varies. Some families do it on Ashtami, the eighth day, and others on Navami, the ninth. Some do it on both. The age range for kanya is generally agreed to be before puberty, with two to ten being the most commonly cited range, though this can differ by family and region. The foods offered and the number of girls invited also vary by household and community. What stays the same is the core idea: the girls are treated not as children receiving a gift, but as the goddess receiving her due.