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Ashtami / Navami
Kanya Pujan
As Navratri concludes, nine young girls are honoured as the living Goddess herself — this is Kanya Pujan (Kanjak). It is held to be the fruit and culmination of the entire nine-night sadhana.
The age-wise forms of the Devi
By tradition each girl aged 2 to 10 represents one form of the Devi, each carrying her own blessing.
कुमारिका
Age 2Kumarika
Freedom from poverty; longevity
त्रिमूर्ति
Age 3Trimurti
Prosperity and progeny
कल्याणी
Age 4Kalyani
Auspiciousness and success
रोहिणी
Age 5Rohini
Freedom from disease; health
कालिका
Age 6Kalika
Victory, courage, learning
चण्डिका
Age 7Chandika
Wealth and power
शाम्भवी
Age 8Shambhavi
Victory in disputes; peace
दुर्गा
Age 9Durga
Victory over foes; fulfilment
सुभद्रा
Age 10Subhadra
Fulfilment of all wishes
The Bhog
Halwa (semolina / sooji)
Puri (deep-fried bread)
Black chana (kale chane)
A coconut or fruit, and sweets
The ritual, step by step
- 1
Clean the puja space and lay a fresh mat (asan) for the girls to be seated with honour.
- 2
Respectfully invite nine girls aged 2–10; many families also invite one young boy as 'Batuk' / Bhairav.
- 3
Wash their feet with clean water as a mark of reverence, then gently dry them.
- 4
Apply a tilak of roli/kumkum with akshat on the forehead, and tie mauli on the wrist if it is your tradition.
- 5
Offer flowers and aarti to Maa Durga first, then serve the girls the bhog — halwa, puri and black chana.
- 6
Let them eat peacefully and to their heart's content, without hurrying.
- 7
Offer dakshina and gifts — clothes, bangles, a dupatta, sweets, toys or money.
- 8
Touch their feet, take their blessings, and see them off with honour.
The feeling (bhava) matters most — even a simple honouring, done with respect, love and the vision of the Devi in every child, is fully complete.