Chaitra Navratri Kanjak puja 2025 date: Know auspicious timing, rituals, & more Ashtami

Chaitra Navratri Kanjak Puja 2025 date: Navratri is a festival dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga. During these nine days, devotees pray to Maa Durga and make offerings to seek her blessings.

Navratri means "nine nights," and each day is devoted to one of Durga’s nine forms. These are: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. In 2025, Chaitra Navratri started on 30 March and will conclude on 7 April.

The festival concludes with special prayers on Ashtami (eighth day) and Navami (ninth day). On Ashtami, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, and on Navami, Maa Siddhidatri is honoured.

What is Kanya Puja?

On Ashtami, many Hindu families perform Kanjak or Kanya Puja, where they invite nine young girls (who have not reached puberty) into their homes for a special ritual.

When is Kanya Puja in 2025?

This year, Ashtami will be observed on Saturday, 5 April 2025. On this day, those who have been fasting for Navratri will end their fast by feeding young girls a traditional meal of poori, sooji halwa, and sukha kala chana.

Scroll down to know more about Kanya Puja and its importance.

Kanya Puja 2025: Date, Time, and Auspicious Muhurat

Kanya Puja usually takes place on the last two days of Navratri—Ashtami (Ashtami Kanya Puja) and Navami (Navami Kanya Puja). Many believe that Navratri fasting is incomplete without performing Kanya Puja.

Ashtami Kanya Puja Timing

• Ashtami Tithi Begins – 4 April 2025 at 8:12 PM
• Ashtami Tithi Ends – 5 April 2025 at 7:26 PM
• Kanya Puja Muhurat on Ashtami – 11:59 AM to 12:49 PM

Navami Kanya Puja Timing

• Navami Tithi Begins – 5th April 2025 at 7:26 PM
• Navami Tithi Ends – 6th April 2025 at 7:22 PM
• Kanya Puja Muhurat on Navami – 11:59 AM to 12:50 PM

Why is Kanya Puja important?

In Hindu beliefs, young girls represent Nava Durga (the nine forms of Goddess Durga). It is said in sacred texts that praying to human beings gives faster blessings than worshipping the gods, and children are the purest form of life. Kanya Puja honours the divine feminine energy and the innocence of young girls.

How to perform Kanya Puja?

• Feet Washing – The ritual starts by washing the feet of girls aged 2 to 10 years.
• Tilak & Kalava – A tilak (made from kumkum and rice) is applied on their forehead, and a sacred thread (kalava) is tied to their wrist.
• Offering Prasad – They are served prasad made with tender coconut, followed by poori, halwa, and kala chana.
• Giving Gifts – Girls receive gifts like money, jewellery, clothes, toys, or sweets.
• Seeking Blessings – Devotees touch their feet for blessings and then break their own fast with the leftover food.

Best Gift Ideas for Kanya Puja 2025

- Stationery items

- Jewellery and hair accessories

- Chocolate gift boxes

- Cute keychains

- Toys and games

Who can participate in Kanya Puja?

Girls aged between 6 and 12 years, who have not yet reached puberty, are worshipped with great devotion. They are believed to represent the purest form of Goddess Durga, symbolising innocence, peace, and divine energy.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.