During Navratri, Kanya Pujan can sometimes become a quick ritual. We see a group of young girls passing by, invite them home, offer food and gifts, and complete the ceremony. But traditional Hindu texts describe Kumari Puja with a much deeper idea. According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, girls from two to ten years of age are associated with nine distinct forms and names of Shakti. Each age represents a different quality, from innocence and potential to courage, peace and strength. That makes Kanya Pujan more than simply feeding young girls during Ashtami or Navami.
