In Hindu religion, Kanya Puja has special significance along with special worship of Maa Durga during Navratri. Devotees feed the little girls and honor them. It is believed that Mother Durga herself resides in the form of these girls and worshiping her brings immense blessings. Pandit Suryamani Pandey told that worshiping the girl child is considered a symbol of the nine powers of Mother Durga. Girls up to nine years of age are worshiped as goddesses. According to mythological beliefs, worshiping girls brings happiness, prosperity and peace in life and removes all kinds of troubles. Maa Ashapuri’s priest Anil Upadhyay and Pandit Ravi Ranjan Upadhyay told that in the method of Kanya Puja, first of all the girls are bathed and dressed in clean and new clothes. After this his feet are washed and worship is done by applying tilak on his forehead. Girls are especially given prasad of halwa, puri and gram. At the end of the puja he is offered gifts and Dakshina.
It is believed that by worshiping girls one gets immense blessings of Mother Durga. Devotees believe that through this ritual, happiness, peace and prosperity come to the house, and all the obstacles in life are removed. By the grace of Maa Durga, devotees get courage and strength even in difficult times, due to which they can face every situation. Acharya Pappu Pandey says that Kanya Puja is an important religious ritual on the holy occasion of Navratri. Through this puja, devotees can get the immense blessings of Goddess Durga and fill their lives with happiness, prosperity and peace.
