Food forms an important part of all Indian festivities and each event is marked with a special delicacy. Sharad Navratri 2018 is ongoing, and October 18 will mark the end of the nine-day long festival. The eighth day of Navarati is called Ashtami and the ninth day is called Navami. On either of the days Kanjak puja is conducted. Little girls are invited to devotees’ house who observe fast for nine days and are offered special delicacies. On this day, three significant and traditional dishes are prepared like suji halwa, poori and dry masala kala chana. Below we give you tutorials of the recipes and see the joy on faces of young girls. Navratri 2018 Day 8 Colour, October 17 – Sky Blue: Katrina Kaif, Shilpa Shetty & Others Who Show You How to Style the Soothing Colour of Nature.

Kanjak Puja Tradition

 

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On the day of Kanjak puja, nine girls are invited and are seated on a mattress. Women of the house first wash their feet, apply tilak and offer them the prasad prepared on the day. It is believed that young girls who haven’t hit puberty are considered as the embodiment of Goddess Durga. After the girls have eaten the prasad or bhog, women seek their blessings. In the end, gifts of different kinds like stationery, games, jewellery, etc are presented to them. Kanya Pujan 2018 on Navratri Ashtami: Kanjak Gift Ideas to Purchase Online for Young Girls on Kumari Puja During Navaratri Festival.

Ashtami 2018 Prasad Recipes Video

Recipe of Kala Chana

Recipe of Poori

Apart from chana, poori and halwa, fruits and coconut are also offered to them. If you are planning to make the Ashtami prasad at home, find below easy recipes on how to make the bhog.

Recipe of Suji Halwa

According to mythological legends, Kumari puja or Kanjak is celebrated to mark the day when Goddess Mahakali killed the demon Kalasura. To destroy the demon, Gods approached Goddess Mahakali. She took the form of a little girl and approached Kalasura who then let down his guard. At which point, Goddess Mahakali pulled out her sword and killed him. Young girls are also worshipped because it is believed that they are the purest and the most auspicious form. While the practice is changing with times, the fact that the girls should be loved and respected is the essence of the practice.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2018 03:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).