Kanya Pujan 2026 is done on Durga Ashtami or Maha Navami. Maha Navami is on Monday, 19 October 2026; panchangs differ on Ashtami this year, with some listing Sunday 18 October and others Monday 19 October. Families invite nine young girls, honour them as the nine forms of the Goddess, wash their feet, feed them puri, chana and halwa, and give them gifts before breaking the Navratri fast. Follow your family's custom on whether you do it on Ashtami or Navami.
Kanya Pujan 2026 at a glance
| Date (India) | |
|---|---|
| Navratri begins (Ghatasthapana) | Sunday, 11 October |
| Durga Ashtami | 18 or 19 October (panchangs differ) |
| Maha Navami | Monday, 19 October |
| Vijayadashami (Dussehra) | Tuesday, 20 October |
| Usual time | Morning to early afternoon, after the day's puja |
If your local panchang lists Ashtami on 19 October, Ashtami and Navami fall on the same day and families do Kanya Pujan once that morning. Check your city's panchang or ask your family priest.
Ashtami or Navami?
Both are traditional. Families who fast on the first and last day, or keep the full nine-day fast and break it on Ashtami, usually do Kanya Pujan on Ashtami. Families who break the fast on the ninth day do it on Navami. Neither is more correct; keep to what your family has always done.
How many girls should you invite?
- Nine girls is the ideal, one for each form of Durga: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.
- Age: traditionally girls between about 2 and 10 years.
- One boy is often invited too, honoured as Langur (Hanuman) or Batuk Bhairav, the Goddess's guardian.
- Fewer girls is fine. If nine aren't available, invite as many as you can, even one, with the same devotion.
Kanya Pujan vidhi, step by step
- Prepare the bhog early: puri, kala chana (dry) and suji halwa, offered first to the Goddess.
- Welcome the girls at the door and seat them on a clean mat or chowki.
- Wash their feet with water in a plate, dry them with a clean cloth and touch their feet.
- Apply tilak of roli and akshat, tie a kalava (sacred red thread) on the wrist, and offer flowers or a chunri.
- Do aarti of the girls with a lamp.
- Serve the bhog on a plate or leaf and let them eat first.
- Give gifts and dakshina, then touch their feet again and take their blessings.
- See them off warmly; then the family eats the prasad and breaks the fast.
Bhog: what to cook
The classic plate is puri, sukhe kale chane and suji ka halwa, often with a piece of coconut or a banana. Keep the food sattvic: no onion or garlic. Make the halwa less sweet and the chana less spicy if the girls are very young.
Gift ideas that children actually like
- Stationery: a small set of colours, a notebook, a pencil box
- Bangles, hair clips or a small chunri
- A storybook
- A small amount of money in an envelope as dakshina
- A tiffin box or water bottle
Something useful for school is always welcome. Avoid sharp objects and anything plastic that breaks easily.
The Navratri book for the whole nine days
The Complete Book of Durga Saptashati has the Navratri 2026 calendar, Ghatasthapana and daily puja vidhi, and all 700 verses of the Saptashati in Sanskrit, Roman transliteration and English meaning, with the Kavach, Argala and Kilak. The book is in English. Instant PDF, ₹199. The Festival Season Pack adds Karva Chauth and Diwali for ₹449.
Reading the Saptashati this Navratri? See how long it takes and the best time to read, and the Navratri 2026 colours, day by day. The next day is Dussehra, 20 October.
Frequently asked questions
When is Kanya Pujan in 2026?
On Durga Ashtami (18 or 19 October, depending on the panchang) or Maha Navami (Monday 19 October 2026). Follow your family's custom.
How many girls are needed for Kanya Pujan?
Nine is ideal, one for each form of Durga, usually aged about 2 to 10, often with one boy as Langur or Batuk Bhairav. Fewer is fine if nine aren't available.
What is the bhog for Kanya Pujan?
Puri, dry kala chana and suji halwa, offered first to the Goddess, without onion or garlic.
Should Kanya Pujan be done on Ashtami or Navami?
Both are traditional. Families who break the fast on Ashtami do it on Ashtami; those who break it on Navami do it on Navami.
What gifts can I give in Kanya Pujan?
Stationery, bangles or hair clips, a chunri, a storybook, a tiffin box, or a small dakshina in an envelope.
Customs vary between families and regions; where yours differ, follow your family's tradition.