Devotees across the region worshipped Goddess Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, with great devotion on the eighth day of Navratri. Along with temples, special prayers and rituals were also performed in homes as part of the traditional Kanjak Pujan ceremony.
People observing Navratri fasts concluded their nine-day spiritual observance by performing Kanjak Pujan and immersing the sacred Kalash (holy pot). Worshipping Goddess Mahagauri is believed to bring peace, purity, and blessings from Goddess Durga.
Devotees prepared traditional offerings including halwa, puri, chole, kheer, and other delicacies, which were first offered to Goddess Durga and later served to young girls considered symbolic forms of the Goddess. The girls were honored with prayers, gifts, and blessings before being respectfully bid farewell.
Temples witnessed large gatherings of devotees who organized community prayers and served meals to the girls after religious ceremonies. Since early morning, devotees were seen searching neighborhoods for young girls to perform the ritual worship.
As in previous years, there was a noticeable shortage of girls for Kanjak Pujan, with many families reportedly booking participants a day in advance by visiting homes beforehand.
According to the Devi Bhagwat Purana, Kanjak Pujan holds special significance at the conclusion of Navratri, and the fast is considered incomplete without this ritual. Traditionally, nine girls up to the age of ten are worshipped during the ceremony. Their feet are washed before meals, and devotees seek their blessings as part of the sacred tradition.
In several localities, a single girl was worshipped by multiple households, with people standing in queues to complete the ritual at their homes.
