Kanyaka Pujanam is one of the important parts of Navaratri. Let us explore some significant aspects of this sacred tradition.

नित्यं भूमौ च शयनं कुमारीणां च पूजनम्
वस्त्रालङ्करणैर्दिव्यैर्भोजनैश्च सुधामयैः

Navaratri is always accompanied by the observance of vrata, such as fasting and sleeping on the floor. Kumari Pujanam should be performed every day during the nine days. Offering clothes, ornaments, and sweet, tasty food to the Kumaris is considered very important.

एकैकां पूजयेन्नित्यं एकवृध्या तथा पुनः
द्विगुणं त्रिगुणं वाऽपि प्रत्येकं नवकं च वा

You can worship one Kumari per day for each of the nine days. Alternatively, you may increase the number daily:

• One on the first day, two on the second day, and so on up to nine on the ninth day.
• Or, multiply by two: one on the first day, two on the second day, four on the third day, and so forth.
• Or, multiply by three: one on the first day, three on the second day, nine on the third day, and so on.
• Alternatively, worship nine Kumaris each day.

The choice depends on the availability of girls, one's own preference, and capacity.

Age and Types of Kumaris
The chosen Kumari should not be below two years of age. The age and corresponding names of the Kumaris are:

• Two years old: Kumarika
• Three years old: Trimurti
• Four years old: Kalyani
• Five years old: Rohini
• Six years old: Kalika
• Seven years old: Chandika
• Eight years old: Shambhavi
• Nine years old: Durga
• Ten years old: Subhadra

Girls above the age of ten should not be chosen for Kumari Pujanam.

Benefits of Worship

• Kumarika (2 years): Removes poverty and miseries, weakens rivals, and increases strength.
• Trimurti (3 years): Grants dharma, artha, and kama; abundance of wealth, grains, and blessings of progeny.
• Kalyani (4 years): Bestows education, success, power, position, and comforts.
• Rohini (5 years): Offers good health and relief from diseases.
• Kalika (6 years): Grants victory over rivals.
• Chandika (7 years): Confers prosperity and wealth.
• Shambhavi (8 years): Provides support from authorities, relief from financial troubles, and happiness.
• Durga (9 years): Offers victory over enemies and comforts in the afterlife.
• Subhadra (10 years): Fulfills specific desires.

Mantras and Meditation

Worship involves chanting specific mantras, meditating on the Kumari as divine Shakti.

1. कुमारस्य च तत्वानि या सृजत्यपि लीलया
   कादीनपि च देवांस्तां कुमारीं पूजयाम्यहम्
   I worship Kumari as the Shakti who creates the elements and the devas through her divine play.

2. सत्वादिभीस्त्रिमूर्तिर्या तैर्हि नानास्वरूपिणी
   त्रिकालव्यापिनी शक्तिस्त्रिमूर्तिं पूजयाम्यहम्
   She is Trimurti, assuming forms of satva, rajas, and tamas. I worship her.

3. कल्याणकारिणी नित्यं भक्तानां पूजितानिशम्
   पूजयामि च तां भक्त्या कल्याणीं सर्वकामदाम्
   She is Kalyanikarini, granting all desires to her devotees. I worship her.

4. रोहयन्ती च बीजानि प्राग्जन्मस्ंचितानि वै
   या देवी सर्वभूतानां रोहिणीं पूजयाम्यहम्
   Rohini nurtures the seeds of karma sown in previous lives. I worship her.

5. काली कालयते सर्वं ब्रह्माण्डं सचराचरम्
   कल्पान्तसमये या तां कालिकां पूजयाम्यहम्
   Kali dissolves the universe at the end of Kalpa. I worship her.

6. चण्डिकां चण्डरूपाश्च चण्डमुण्डविनाशिनीम्
   तां चण्डपापहरिणीं चण्डिकां पूजयाम्यहम्
   Chandika destroys the asuras Chanda and Munda and removes great sins. I worship her.

7. अकारणात्समुत्पत्तिर्यन्म्यैः परिकीर्तिता
   यस्यास्तां सुखदां देवीं शाम्भवीं पूजयाम्यहम्
   Shambhavi, the cause of all existence, grants happiness. I worship her.

8. दुर्गात्त्रायति भ्क्तं या सदा दुर्गार्तिनाशिनी
   दुर्ज्ञेया सर्वदेवानां तां दुर्गां पूजयाम्यहम्
   Durga protects her devotees from obstacles and dangers. I worship her.

9. सुभद्राणि च भक्तानां कुरुते पूजिता सदा
   अभद्रनाशिनीं देवीं सुभद्रां पूजयाम्यहम्
   Subhadra grants auspiciousness and removes inauspiciousness. I worship her.

Alternatively, you may simply offer prayers by saying श्रीरस्तु.

Kumari Pujanam is a powerful way to worship Devi and receive her blessings. These traditions are treasures passed down by great sages, meant to guide us toward spiritual and material progress.