Navratri & Kanya Pujan 🙏
Twice a year in the season of Sharad and vasant, in the months of Ashwin and Chaitra, Maa Bhagwati visits our home for nine days. The Navratri days are the most sacred days as even devtas worship Durga Bhagwati on these days. Her blessings are all the more important since this time of the year brings diseases due to weather changes.
The following puja of Navratri is mentioned in Devi Puraan. King Sudarshan, a descendant of Shri ram had done this puja at Kashi to honor the Aadi Shakti who had destroyed the evil Shatrujit at Kashi, followed by King Subahu. Shri Ram had also performed Devi puja at Kishkindha when he went in search of Sita.
The nine-day puja should be done as per the shastra. It is better to arrange the required materials a day prior to Navratri. First, select a clean spot for the creation of a vedi or platform. Ideally, the floor should be applied a paste of cow dung and white mud along with pillars decorated with dhwaja and streamers. Cover this erected vedi with a silk cloth. Place the Devi statue in the center, and a Kalash next to it. The Kalash should be filled with the sacred water of a river. On top of the Kalash insert five leaves (Betel, Mango, etc). You can also put a Navarna yantra instead of a statue.
The ideal muhurt for this Ghut sthapana is Nanda tithi in Hast nakshatra.
Make the offerings of Chandan, Agar, Camphor, Flowers of Mandaar, Champa, Bilwa leaves along with Dhoop and Deep. For Havan prepare a triangular kund with a separate vedi or platform.
Thrice a day puja is ideal. The Yajman has to sleep on the floor all the nine days. If you cannot fast all the nine days, the last three days of Saptami, Ashtami, and Navmi also give you the desired results. Remember all the devtas too are busy worshipping the Aadi shakti.
Kumari Pujan
Actually, you have to start Kumari puja by worshipping one Kumari on the first day, two on the second, and likewise go on increasing the numbers as per day. So on the last day, you worship nine Kumarika's. The offering should be of food clothing and Jewellery. If you are unable to do Kumari puja each day then, you can perform this on Ashtami since Bhadrakali had appeared on that day to destroy the havan kund of Daksha. Give the things as per your ability.
The minimum age for a Kumari should be two years of age and above and the maximum age should not exceed ten years. Following is the table indicating the name and age of Kumarika.
Age ... Name
3 years - Trimurti
4 years - Kalyani
5 years - Rohini
6 years - Kalika
7 years - Chandrika
8 years - Shambhvi
9 years - Durga
10 years - Subhadra
Trimurti puja destroys your enemies, diseases, and makes you wealthy.
Kalyani pujan gives you knowledge, victory, and happiness.
Rohini pujan gives you happiness and wealth.
Kalika pujan gives you name, fame, and health.
Shambhvi pujan destroys poverty and makes you wealthy.
Durga pujan destroys cruel enemies and makes your journey to the other world pleasant.
Subhadra pujan destroys your enemies.
Source-Devi Puran
Pic credit- Nikhil ji, Priyal, Pankaj jha ji, Kesavan, and The Shivshakti.