Ashtami
Kanya Pujan: Divine concluding ceremony of Navratri
Goddess Durga is the divya-shakti, which can be a bounty of love and care as well as the source of destruction too. She symbolises the power of divine mother as even the Gods pay homage to her strength. Adoring Ma durga during nine days by keeping fasts and worshipping her is the perfect way to realize our upmost goal and motive of existence, which gets blur in the magical world of materialism.
Kanya Pujan marks the ending ceremony of the auspicious Navratri and is conducted on Ashtami or Navami day of Navratri. It is also known as ‘Kumari puja’, a ritual of worshipping young girls symbolising Goddess Durga. Homage is paid to nine small girls and one boy through this ritual. Special food is prepared according to the varied rituals among family, which is offered to the nine girls in the form of nine devis. Certain dakshina or new utensils are also offered to them. Then the prasadam is consumed by the family to break their fast and mark the completion of auspicious navratri.
Devotees should read the last chapter of Durga Saptashati and chant mantras to welcome the kids. The ceremony should begin by washing their feet and then tying ‘mauli’ (red thread) on their wrists. Special puri, halwa and chana are offered to them along with fruits. People should touch their feet and seek blessings from them by pleasing these young kids.
Worshipping the kanyas helps the devotees to receive wisdom, moksha, strength, wealth and dharma. Mantra for kanya pujan is as follows:
मंत्राक्षरमयीं लक्ष्मीं मातृणां रूपधारिणीम्।
नवदुर्गात्मिकां साक्षात् कन्यामावाहयाम्यहम्।।
जगत्पूज्ये जगद्वन्द्ये सर्वशक्तिस्वरुपिणि।
पूजां गृहाण कौमारि जगन्मातर्नमोस्तु ते।।
Why you should fast during Navratri – Scientific and spiritual reasons?
Many of us believe in the philosophy of quitting their favourite edible or avoiding materialistic luxuries to please the God and receiving blessings in return for fulfillment of the desired wish. This concept is prevalent during the seven or eight days of fasting of Navratras. During the seven or eight day period, the devotees performs complete (Nirjal or Nirahar) fast or partial fast for pleasing Goddess Durga and seeking her divine grace.
The devotee performing fast wake up early and after having bath they worship the deity. Certain people consume the food just once a day while others prefer a specific diet. High energy (tamsic) food like meat, egg, alcohol, grains, pulses and any kind of spices and salt are avoided in the diet. Beverages like milk, juices, coconut water and tea can be taken along with diet consisting of potato, sago or vrat-snacks. Common salt is replaced by rock salt (sendha namak) during these days.
People observe these fast for either regular seven or eight days and many of them keep it for few days only. The eighth day (Ashtami) or ninth day (Navami) is reserved for paying homage to nine small girls and one boy through kanya pujan or Kanchika Pujan. Special food is prepared according to the varied rituals among family, which is offered to the nine girls in the form of nine devis. Certain dakshina or new utensils are also offered to them. Then the prasadam is consumed by the family to break their fast and mark the completion of auspicious navratri.
Scientific Relevance:
Fasting is a natural healer as during this process the energy is utilised for maintaining the metabolic rate and restoring the immune system. It heals the dead cells and damaged tissues of the body along with burning away the extra toxins. Fasting is also recommended as it helps in maintaining the salt balance in the body as extra salt and deficiency of salt, b
oth are harmful for us.
Thus the seven or eight day of fasting is a way of expressing the faith and devotion in Goddess Durga. As time is changing, so does the patterns of fasting but in any way you perform it, your faith should be intact. Whether you hold a wish within you or not, Ma Durga will surely bestow her blessings and love upon your family.
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Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
Shubhpuja.com 