In the lead-up to the Hindu festival of Divali, devotees observe the nine-day celebration of Navratri.
On each day, different practices are observed, each holding unique significance.
The Kanya Kumari Puja is a ritual that is performed on the eighth day, Ashtami, of the Hindu observance of Navratri.
Pundit Ganesh Maharaj of the Chickland Hindu Temple explained that this puja is dedicated to the worship or adoration of pre-pubescent children. Nine young girls were chosen to represent the nine goddesses of the faith, while three boys were chosen to represent three male deities.
“Kanya Puja is an integral part of the Navratri celebrations which is done at four times of the year at the start of every season: summer, winter, spring, and autumn. But the two major occasions would be the spring, Navratri Chaitra, and the autumn or Sharad Ashwan Navratri.”
The practice of the puja entails paying homage to the children, including placing crowns on their heads and offering them food and drink.
Pundit Maharaj explained another key component of the ritual: “One of the very important aspects of the worship, of the adoration, is the Pad Puja, or the washing of the feet, which symbolises offering ourselves in respect, in humility, and offering ourselves by giving our ego to the divine in an act of adoration here in the Kanya Puja.”
Pundit Maharaj described Navratri as the celebration of positivity over absolute negativity. He said while many families have come out for the young ones, they also show support for the community. He added that Navratri is a celebration of divine feminine energy and explained the significance of the symbolism.
“The Navdurga, or nine mothers, are represented by the nine girls. Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, different aspects of divine mother which showcase or represent different stages in our human mind’s development, in a human being’s development.”
Pundit Maharaj underscored the divine importance of mothers in the Hindu faith, noting that no one would be here without them, and added that the mother’s presence is both felt and known. He said the idea of Navratri is to become one with the energy that exists in the universe, knowing that it exists within everyone.