Zainab Khanam
Kanya Puja is a traditional Hindu ritual that honors young girls as manifestations of the goddess Durga during Navratri.
Symbolizing purity and divinity, Kanya Puja celebrates the spiritual essence of young girls and seeks their blessings for prosperity.
Kanya Puja takes place on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri, marking the end of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Girls, usually between the ages of 2 to 10, are invited to homes, washed, worshipped, and offered food and gifts as a form of reverence.
Prasad, consisting of puri, chana, halwa, and gifts, is offered to the girls to seek their divine blessings.
Kanya Puja is a way to express gratitude for the blessings of the goddess and remind people of the importance of respecting women in society.
Kanya Puja is more than just a ritual—it’s a celebration of the divine feminine and the values of equality and respect.