Navratri 2024: When is Maha Ashtami and Navami? Know Kanya puja date, timings, rituals and more

Navratri 2024: Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami date: Navratri is a festival dedicated to the nine forms of Maa Durga. Throughout the nine days of this festival, devotees seek the blessings of Goddess Durga through prayers and various offerings.

The festival concludes with Maha Ashtami and Navami puja. On the eighth day of Navratri, the eighth form of Maa Durga, known as Mahaguri, is worshipped. On the ninth day, Maha Navami is celebrated, and devotees honour Maa Siddhidatri.

On the important day of Ashtami, many Hindu families perform Kanjak or Kanya Puja, where they welcome nine young girls who have not yet reached puberty into their homes.

When are Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami, and Kanya Pujan 2024?

This year, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami will be celebrated on the same day, October 11, 2024. This unusual occurrence happens because the lunar calendar's Ashtami and Navami Tithis overlap. Therefore, Kanya Pujan, a lovely tradition that honours young girls, will also take place on Friday, October 11, 2024. On this day, those observing the Navratri fast will break their fast by feeding young girls (Kanjak or Kanya Pujan) with traditional foods like Poori, Sooji Halwa, and Sukha Kala Chana. Scroll down to find out more about Kanya Pujan and its significance.

When Ashtami and Navami occur on the same day, it marks a powerful time of devotion and energy. It is believed that fasting and praying on this day bring great blessings to worshippers, helping them overcome challenges and grow spiritually. The combination of these two days highlights the united strength of Goddess Durga and her many forms, making it an ideal moment to ask for her divine blessings.

This year, with Ashtami and Navami celebrated together, devotees will have the special chance to join in the rituals and prayers for both days at once. Whether you choose to do Kanya Pujan, or Sandhi Puja, or simply offer your prayers to the goddess, be sure to follow the correct timings to get the most out of these blessed practices. May Goddess Durga grant everyone strength, prosperity, and happiness during this special time of Navratri 2024.

Also Read: Happy Durga Puja wishes & quotes

Maha Ashtami 2024 date & timing

Maha Navami 2024 date & timing

Navratri 2024: Maha Ashtami & Maha Navami auspicious timings

Also Read: Durga Puja 2024 Calendar

What is the Purpose of Kanya Pooja?

Young girls are seen as a form of the Goddess Durga on earth. During Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami, they are worshipped. Our sacred texts say that praying to a human can bring quicker results than praying to God, and children are considered the purest form of humans. Therefore, to honour this purity and recognise the strength of women, people celebrate Kanjak Poojan.

How to Perform Kanjak Puja?

Traditionally, Kanjak Puja starts by washing the feet of young girls aged 2 to 10 years. Next, a mark made of kumkum and rice (Akshat) is applied to their foreheads, and a red thread (kalava) is tied around their wrists. Then, they are given offerings (prasad) made from tender coconut, followed by Poori, halwa, and black chickpeas (Kala chana). At the end of the puja, they receive gifts like money, jewellery, clothes, and toys. Finally, the devotee touches the girls' feet to ask for their blessings, and after they leave, the devotee breaks their fast with any leftover food.

Also Read: How is Durga Puja different from Navratri?

Kanya Pujan samagri

- Plate for washing feet, clean water, and towels

- Mehendi for applying on feet

- Kumkum, sindoor, and rice (Akshat) for the forehead

- Asan (seat) for sitting

- Puja thali (worship plate)

- Ghee lamp for lighting

- Cow dung cake or fuel cakes

- Flowers and garlands

- Red cloth (chunari)

- Food (kheer-puri or jaggery-chana)

- Gifts for the girls

- Offerings for the ritual

- Rice (Akshat) for blessings

Kanya Puja 2024 Ritual (Kanjak Puja Vidhi)

• On Kanya Pujan day, invite the young girls and begin by placing their feet on a plate, pouring water over them, and then drying them.
• Next, have them sit comfortably and apply mehendi on their feet. Put sindoor and rice (Akshat) on their foreheads, and drape a red cloth (chunari) over them, finishing with a garland around their necks.
• After this, perform the aarti.
• Now, serve them a meal.
• Take a small piece of food from each girl and place it on a burnt cow dung cake, followed by performing achaman (a purification ritual).
• Then, invite the girls to enjoy their meal.
• Once they have finished eating, give each girl a gift according to your means.
• Next, take some rice (Akshat) in your hands, and the woman should gather the rice in the pallu (the edge of her sari).
• Finally, seek blessings from the girls and send them off.
• Afterward, sprinkle the water used for washing their feet and the rice around your home to invite good fortune.

Navratri 2024: Kanya Puja mantra

ya Devi sarvabhooteshu 'Kanya' roopena sansthita.

namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah.

Om Shri dum Durgaayai namah.

Om Shri Kumaryaai namah.

Om Shri Trigunaatmikayai namah.