Kumari Puja is a significant ritual during Navratri. Under this ritual 9 young girls between two to ten years of age are worshipped as nine manifestations of Mother Durga and are given food and gifts. A boy under 10 years of age, symbolically to safeguard the Kanyas (representing Lord Shiva), called as "Batuk Bhairav" is also worshipped.
Kumari Puja is also known as Kanya Puja and Kumarika Puja. Kumari Puja is done either on Ashtami (8th) or Navami (9th) day of Navratri. Girls between two to ten year are suitable for Kumari Puja. These girls represent nine forms of Durga and named as:
- Kumarika
- Trimurti
- Kalyani
- Rohini
- Kali
- Chandika
- Shanbhavi
- Durga
- Bhadra or Subhadra
There is a reason behind inviting 9 girls, which is:
- Worshiping Two girls, provides bhog and Moksha
- Three girls provides Dharma, Artha and Kaam
- Four girls, provides Rajyapad i.e. authority
- Five girls increases Vidya i.e. Knowledge
- Six girls provides 6 types of Siddhi,
- Seven girls helps in achieving Rajya i.e. power and kingdom
- Eight girls enhances Sampada i.e. wealth
- Nine girls gives the Prabhutva of Prithvi. Ownership.
Girls would be mix of:
- Brahmin: to fulfill all sorts of wishes
- Kshatriya: for glory and fame
- Vaishya: for wealth and prosperity
- Shudra: for getting a son
Puja service includes: Swasti Vachan, Sankalp, Invocation of major Gods, recitation of 13th and last chapter of Durga Saptashati, washing the feet of 9 Kanyas and Batuk, applying Tilak, offering garland, Chunri, offering chocolates, bangles, stationery items and toys, food offering (Puri, Halva sweet dish and chickpeas curry, etc.) and Dakshina to each girl.
Eshwar Bhakti priests will perform your Puja as per the Vedic procedure. Please mention your birth details (name, date, time, and place of birth), & Sankalp (your wish) at checkout. This is an individual Puja (you may book puja only on your name or include your near/dear ones in your puja).
You can book this puja with or without a DVD. An hour-long DVD will have the main elements of your puja: Sankalpa, Abhishek or invocation mantras, presiding deity mantra chants, Homa and Aarti. If you opt for a DVD, we will upload it on a cloud link for you to download and watch online, within a week of your puja completion. If you don't opt for a DVD, we will email few short video clips and photos immediately upon successful completion of your ritual.