Are you also one of those who feels there are some food restrictions during the Navratri? However, it holds an important significance, and if we look beyond that, Navratri is not only about fasting or enjoying garba and dandiya.
It is more than that because it includes the rituals that make the Navratri more joyful. One of the rituals is Kanya Puja, which allows the Goddess Durga devotees to receive blessings and make the celebrations meaningful.
But do you know what to give Kanya in Navratri? Here is a complete guide about what Kanya Puja is, traditional offerings, and gifts you can give to young girls or Kanyas.
Importance of Kanya Puja in Navratri
Kanya Puja is a traditional Navratri ritual that many have celebrated for so many years. It allows the devotees to show their devotion to Goddess Durga and receive blessings.
The girls are believed to represent the Goddess Durga herself and are treated with respect or reverence. The blessings are earned by offering them food and gifts.
Why Kanya Puja is Performed?
People perform Kanya Puja to honour the Goddess Durga and invite Kanyas or Kanjak to the home.
The young girls are included in this ritual because many believe that the Goddess Durga defeated the demon Kalasura in the form of a young girl.
It is also believed that devotees seek the blessings of the Goddess by worshipping Kanyas.
When Kanya Puja is Performed?
The Kanya Puja takes place on the eighth or the ninth day of Navratri. These days are known as Ashtami or Navami, respectively. Many are confused when is Navami and Ashtami.
The Kanya Puja 2024 is on 10th October (Astami) and 11th October (Navami). The timings can vary, but they are after 12 p.m. on Thursday to 12.06 p.m. on Friday.
These days are auspicious, where the Navratri is celebrated by keeping fasts, dancing the Garba, and many other activities. Many enjoy it with full excitement while also receiving the blessings of the Goddess Durga.
Recommended Reads: Navaratri 2024 Dates, Significance, and Celebration Guide
How Many Kanyas are Needed for the Ritual?
During the Kanya Puja, nine girls and one boy are invited. It is because the girls represent the form of Goddess Durga, and the boys represent “langur.”
Are you wondering why people invite only nine girls? It is because these nine girls represent Navadurga or the nine avatars of Goddess Durga.
However, these numbers can vary because some people also invite seven or just two Kanyas, as finding the Kanyas during these modern times sometimes becomes difficult.
But many Kanyas feel excited by waking up early in the morning and receiving food and gifts while offering blessings to the devotees.
Kanya Puja Rituals
Kanya Puja involves various rituals, and they should be performed properly with devotion and respect.
1) Preparing for the Puja
Before performing the rituals, you should first clean your home or area around the Mandir thoroughly. You can also take the help of your 8-hour maid to clean your home, while you can look after the other things.
Prepare the necessary items like aarti ki thali, flowers, kumkum, roli, and prasad. You can also use those threads with designs that are available in almost every market.
2) Preparing the Food Offering
After cleaning and preparing the essential items, start preparing the food offerings. You can make traditional offerings such as halwa, chana, and puri. If you are planning to give them gifts, prepare them in advance.
3) Welcoming the Kanyas
When you are done preparing the food offerings, invite the nine Kanyas and one boy to your home. You can make them sit where you will perform all the rituals and aarti.
4) Washing the Kanya’s Feet
Washing the feet of Kanyas is a part of the ritual. Start by washing their feet, and then apply kumkum on their forehead, followed by tying a roli on their hands.
5) Offering Prasad (Food)
Next, offer the Kanyas food you have prepared: halwa, puri, and chana. These food items are auspicious and hold a significant meaning.
6) Performing Aarti
After feeding the Kanyas, you can perform aarti and recite prayers to seek blessings and honour Goddess Durga.
7) Giving Gifts to Kanyas
Lastly, give each Kanya the gifts you have decided on, along with the box of food offerings.
Traditional Offering to the Kanyas
The Kanya Puja is incomplete without the offerings that are offered to the nine Kanyas. If you want to know what to give Kanya in Navratri, here are the offerings that are usually given to them.
1) Fruits
One of the offerings is fresh fruits like bananas, apples, or oranges are given to them. But do you know that it has a meaning behind this?
The fruits are healthy and nourishing, so they are a way of nourishing the Kanya and seeking good health and fortune from the Goddess Durga.
2) Halwa Puri
Halwa and Puri are traditional dishes that are prepared for Kanya Puja. Halwa is made with semolina and is offered as a dessert, while puri is made with all-purpose flour and is deep-fried.
The combination of both is considered delicious and perfect for celebrating the occasion. If you want to celebrate the occasion and complete the ritual, you can hire a cook for home to make the tasty halwa and puri.
3) Kala Chana
Another traditional food offering is the kala chana, which is served with halwa-puri. It is an important part of the offerings. All these offerings are usually packed in a box and given to the invited nine young girls.
4) Money
Offering the money is not mandatory, but some do offer money, which is known as “Dakshina.” They are provided to the Kanyas and reflect prosperity and goodwill. It means that the devotees believe them to bring wealth into their homes through the Kanya’s blessings.
Significance of Food Items Given to Kanyas
The food and money that you offer to the Kanyas are of important significance. For example, the halwa represents sweetness and happiness.
The chana and fruits signify nourishment, while the puri depicts fulfillment. It allows you to invite blessings into your life by offering these foods. That is why the Navrati is also about how you perform the Kanya Puja and what you offer to the nine Kanyas.
How to Choose the Best Gift for Kanya?
When you choose the gifts for Kanyas, consider their age and what the young girls like these days. You can offer them traditional offerings, but also give them additional gifts like toys, chocolates, toffees, chips, etc.
It will make the experience of these Kanyas or Kanjak more enjoyable because kids love to eat these things. You can either gift them one or multiple gifts; the choice depends on your preference.
Modern Gift Ideas for Kanyas
Modern days also require many to adapt to time. Many are, therefore, opting for modern gifts. But if you don’t know which gifts you can offer to the girls, here are some modern gift ideas for Kanyas.
1) Accessories
The first gift idea is the accessories for the Kanyas. You can gift them rubber bands, hair bands, clips, bracelets, rings, etc.
2) Educational Gifts
You can give young girls and boys educational gifts, such as books, educational toys, or puzzles. These gifts will help keep them entertained and, at the same time, will help them learn something new. These gifts show your thoughtfulness.
3) Stationery and Books
You can also gift stationery items like notebooks, pens, or sketchbooks. Many of the stationery items are available in cartoon shapes or cartoon and stickers attached to them, like the dairy with unicorns on it or Pokemon pens and pencils. These gifts are sure to make them happy and excited.
4) Toys and Games
Toys don’t necessarily include large toys or board games. You can also give small toys and craft kits as gifts. It is an ideal choice for the Kanyas. These gifts will make them excited every time they come to your home.
Conclusion
Navratri is a great time of the year, and every devotee gets to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga and also honour her.
One of the rituals of the Navratri also includes Kanya Puja, where the nine girls are invited to the home and are offered food and gifts. You now must know what to give Kanya in Navratri, as the common offerings are halwa, puri, chana, and gifts like chocolates, chips, or stationery items.
The nine Kanyas are invited because they represent the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. Ensure the proper preparation of puja, food offerings, aarti, and gifts.
Also, if you want help with cleaning your home or preparing the food offerings, you can contact NinjaCare for the best veg cooks and maid service in Noida and Delhi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 Which day is Kanya puja?
Ans Kanya puja is performed on the eighth and ninth day of Navratri, which is known as Ashtami and Navami.
Q2 Can we offer chocolates to Kanyas during Kanya Puja?
Ans Yes, you can offer chocolates to Kanyas during Kanya Puja along with other traditional offerings.
Q3 Can we eat after a Kanya Pujan?
Ans Yes, you can eat after a Kanya Pujan and perform the Kanya Pujan rituals.
Q4 Can boys be invited along with Kanyas in Kanya Puja?
Ans Yes, many invite boys along with Kanyas in Kanya puja because it is believed that they represent “Langur.”
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