Ashtami & Navami 2024: Combined Celebration and Guide to Kanya Pujan Rituals
Sharadiya Navratri in 2024 started on October 3rd and will conclude with Mahanavami on October 11th. During this period, devotees honor the nine forms of Goddess Durga and perform the sacred Kanya Pujan. It is believed that offering prayers to young girls, or “Kanya,” removes fear, obstacles, and enemies from one’s life while promoting respect for women in society. According to religious texts, Maa Durga is believed to reside in young girls, and she is pleased when they are fed during this ritual.
Auspicious Timing for Kanya Pujan on Ashtami & Navami 2024
In 2024, Ashtami and Navami are falling on the same day, October 11th. According to the scriptures, when Saptami and Ashtami overlap, it is not recommended to observe the Durgashtami fast. Instead, Ashtami-Navami will be celebrated on the same day. Devotees can worship Maa Mahagauri and Goddess Siddhidatri on October 11th. Those performing Kanya Pujan on Ashtami can feed the young girls before 12:06 pm, after which Navami Tithi will begin. For those fasting for Navami, Kanya Pujan can be done after 12:06 pm.
Kanya Pujan Muhurat 2024
On October 11th, the Brahma Muhurta for Kanya Pujan is between 4:41 am and 5:30 am, while the most auspicious time for worship is from 6:20 am to 10:41 am. Devotees should avoid performing rituals during Rahukaal from 10:41 am to 12:08 pm.
Shubh Chaughadiya Muhurat for Kanya Pujan
Char Muhurat: 6:20 am – 7:47 am
Laabh Muhurat: 7:47 am – 9:14 am
Amrit Muhurat: 9:14 am – 10:41 am
Shubh Muhurat: 12:08 pm – 1:34 pm
Char Muhurat: 4:28 pm – 5:55 pm
How to Perform Kanya Pujan
To begin the Kanya Pujan, wash the feet of the girls and make them sit on a clean seat. Offer satvik food, such as kheer, puri, gram, and halwa, by placing the plate in the sacred area for the Goddess. Apply tilak on the girls’ foreheads and tie a Raksha Sutra (holy thread) on their wrists. After feeding them, give them fruits and Dakshina (money) as a token of respect. Lastly, seek their blessings to conclude the ritual.
By honoring young girls, devotees seek the blessings of Goddess Durga, symbolizing purity and strength in the form of Kanya.
