CHATTOGRAM, Oct 22, 2023 (BSS) - Navratri Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja, a significant during Sharadiyo Durga Puja, was held at Radha Govinda and Shantoneshwari Temple in the port city this morning with honoring and worshiping the divine feminine energy, which is believed to reside in young girls.
 
Kumari Puja means worshipping of a prepubescent girl as the living incarnation or avatar of Maa Durga. She is dressed in new clothes and dressed up in floral ornaments. This ritual has its origins in the Puranas.
 
The temple's priest Shyamananda Das Mohanta Maharaj conducted the worship as 11 young girls dressed in traditional attire of Devi Durga were offered puja. They were worshipped in Bhairabi form of Goddess Durga.
 
As per the religious text, two to ten or eleven years old are suitable for Kumari Puja and one year girl is avoided due to immaturity to be a Kumari.
 
The girls from two to ten represent various forms of Goddess Durga and are named as Kumarika, Trimurti, Kalyani, Rohini, Kali, Chandika, Shambhabi, Durga, Bhadra or Shuvadra.
 
As per Hindu text, one can receive the blessings of the Goddess and gain her favor for prosperity, happiness and success.
 
Sri Sri Panchamata temple also saw Kumari Puja of a five-year old girl as Srimat Premananda Brahmachari conducted the puja.
 
Clad in Benarashi share and other traditional attire, one Hrittika Saha was offered puja in Subhaga mould of the goddess.
 
Sandhi Puja was later offered at temples in the city as elsewhere in the country. Sandhi is a transition point between Ashtami and Nabami as the last 24 minutes of Ashtami and the first 24 minutes of Navami are known as 'Sandhikkhon', said a priest Sadhan Chakrabarty.
 
According to the Puranas, this is an auspicious moment in time when Durga
manifests into Chamunda. Chamunda is a fierce, indomitable entity, who
single-handedly defeated demon duo Sumbha and Nisumbha.
 
A total of 108 earthen lamps (pradip) are lit to celebrate this momentous occasion. The priests chant mantras and drummers time their beats to the chants.
 
Maha Ashtami different rituals also included offering of Maha Ashtami puja followed by anjali by a large number of devotees in the morning.