Navratri 2019 will be celebrated in India from September 29 to October 8. The nine-night celebration that worships Goddess Durga ends with Kanya Pujan also known as Kanjak Puja. In this ceremony, nine young girls are invited at home on Maha Navami or Ashtami and are treated just as the nine incarnations of Maa Durga. The nine forms of Goddess Durga, also known as Shakti are, Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandrakanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandmata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. Each little girl represents each one of the incarnations of the deity. But before that you might want to first check out Kanya Pujan 2019 date in Sharad Navratri. Also, Kanjak tithi, shubh muhurat and significance about prayers offered to the nine forms of Goddess Durga.

As per the rituals, worshipping little mata ranis at home begins with greeting them respectfully and washing their hands and legs. Next, you make them sit on their asanas in the best corner of your house. You have to then offer them chunari, gifts, money, clothes, food, prasad and touch their feet seeking blessings. The idea is to make Maa Durga happy by serving each of the girls.  However, if you are confused about what to gift them, here are some of the gifting ideas for kanyas.

Toys

Since kids love toys, you can shop for playthings that you think the little girls may like. You can get toy cars, dollhouses, or even board games like scrabble, monopoly etc.

Box of Trinkets

Buy a bunch of hair clips, jewellery, hair bands, etc and fill them in beautiful, colourful boxed. Make kits for each one of the little girls and gift it to them.

Books/ Drawing Kit

If you want to gift them something intellectual, get them books. Buy them classic storybooks or gift them colouring books with crayons, watercolours or colour pencils.

Tiffin Boxes and Water Bottles

Not only are tiffin boxes easy to find but also make for extremely thoughtful gifts. Pick boxes and bottles in attractive colours or with pictures of their favourite superheroes or cartoon characters.

The devotees can eat once the kanyas have finished eating. Traditional Ashtami Prasad, which include puri, chana and halwa, is offered to Goddess Durga and then to all the girls. Red dupatta (mata ki chunari) is offered to the kanyas. Navratri is also celebrated as Durga Puja in the eastern parts for India, especially in West Bengal. If you cannot find nine kanyas for the puja, try to invite as many girl children as possible. It is believed the more kanyas you invite, the more boons you get.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2019 03:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).