यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवताः।
यत्रैतास्तु न पूज्यन्ते सर्वास्तत्राफला क्रिया:॥
Where women are honoured, divinity blossoms there. And where they are Dishonoured, all actions remain unfruitful.
This is the Sanskrit Verse showing how women are directly connected to the Divine. This is Hinduism.
In the Hindu festival of Navratri, which lasts nine sacred days, a special ritual called Kanya Pujan or Kumari Pujan takes center stage. This involves worshipping young, unmarried girls—known as Kumaris—for all nine days or on key days like Ashtami (eighth) or Navami (ninth), depending on tradition. These girls are seen as living forms of Goddess Durga, embodying her pure, unmanifested energy. By honoring them, devotees awaken this divine power, drawing positive vibrations from the universe that bring blessings like strength, peace, and prosperity. Families invite these girls into their homes, wash their feet, offer them food, new clothes, and gifts, and bow to them to seek their blessings—an act that shows deep reverence for the feminine divine.
The Hindu scripture Rudrayamala Tantra explains that girls of different ages represent unique aspects of the Goddess, each offering distinct boons. For example:
- A one-year-old girl is Sandhya, symbolizing calm and balance.
- A two-year-old is Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.
- A three-year-old is Tridhamurthy, reflecting the triple divine form.
- A four-year-old is Kalika, a fierce protector.
- A five-year-old is Subhga, bringing good luck.
- At six, she is Uma, a form of Parvati.
- At seven, she is Malini, full of grace.
- At eight, she is Kubja, teaching humility.
- At nine, she is Kaalsandharbha, tied to strength over time.
- At ten, she is Aparajita, the invincible one.
- At eleven, she is Rudrani, a powerful Shakti.
- A twelve-year-old is Bharavi, vibrant with energy, and at thirteen, she is Mahalaxmi, goddess of wealth.
- At fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen, she is Peethnayika (leader), Chetraja (ruler), and Ambika (divine mother), respectively.
Each age carries a special energy, and worshiping a Kumari of that age blesses devotees with specific gifts, like wisdom, courage, or abundance, based on their devotion.
Significance of Kanya Pujan in Hinduism
Kanya Pujan is a cornerstone of Navratri because it celebrates the divine feminine, or Shakti, in its purest form. In Hinduism, young girls are not just symbols—they are treated as real embodiments of the Goddess. This ritual shows that every girl carries sacred energy, a power that is honored before she even steps into adult roles like wife or mother. By bowing to her, devotees—men and women alike—express gratitude and humility, recognizing that Shakti is the source of all life and strength. This practice connects the individual to the cosmic energy of the universe, bringing spiritual growth and physical well-being.
The significance goes deeper: it’s a celebration of innocence, potential, and purity. Unlike many traditions that value women only for their roles in family or society, Kanya Pujan honors girls for simply being who they are—divine in their essence. This act strengthens the bond between humanity and the Goddess, reminding everyone that femininity is sacred and powerful at every stage of life.
How Hinduism Stands Unique with Kanya Pujan
Hinduism’s Kanya Pujan is unmatched in its reverence for young girls and women, setting it apart from every other faith or culture. No other religion has a ritual where young girls are worshiped as living goddesses, given such a central and active role in a major festival. This isn’t just respect—it’s devotion, a belief that the divine resides in every girl and woman, no matter her age.
In Hinduism, this reverence isn’t limited to Navratri. The faith worships goddesses like Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati as supreme powers, not just as companions to male gods. But Kanya Pujan takes it further by bringing that worship into the real world, making it tangible. Young girls—ordinary daughters and sisters—are lifted to the status of deities, their feet washed and their blessings sought by entire families. This isn’t a symbolic gesture; it’s a living practice that shows women and girls as sacred in their own right.
Other faiths may honor women in stories or teachings, but none match this direct, ritualistic elevation of young girls to divine status. Hinduism doesn’t just say women are important—it shows it through actions like Kanya Pujan, where even a one-year-old girl is seen as a goddess worthy of worship. This tradition reflects a core Hindu belief: Shakti, the feminine energy, is the driving force of creation, protection, and transformation. By celebrating girls and women in this way, Hinduism stands alone in its deep, practical respect for the feminine, making Kanya Pujan a truly unique and powerful expression of that value.
Below are some more Sanskrit verses on Women.
अतुलं तत्र तत्तेजः सर्वदेवशरीरजम्।
एकस्थं तदभून्नारी व्याप्तलोकत्रयं त्विषा॥The incomparable radiance that was born from all gods and pervaded the 3 worlds, came to one place and took the form of a woman.
नारी अस्य समाजस्य कुशलवास्तुकारा अस्ति
Woman is the perfect architect of the society.
नारी राष्ट्रस्य अक्शि अस्ति
Woman is the eye of the nation
Significance of Three-Claps during Kanya Pujan and even Garba
In Hinduism, during the vibrant Garba dance or the sacred Kanya Pujan ritual of Navratri, the rhythm of three claps holds deep spiritual meaning. These claps are not just a sound—they are believed to awaken divine energy through the frequencies of desire, action, and knowledge. Each clap connects to the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva), the three supreme forces that create, sustain, and transform the universe. This practice also stirs the fire element, a symbol of power and purification in Hindu tradition. No other faith in the world ties such a simple act to the worship of the divine feminine, making it a unique part of Hinduism’s celebration of women and young girls.
The First Clap: Awakening Brahma’s Energy of Desire
The first clap calls forth the energy of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. This clap represents the spark of desire—the wishes and dreams that live in the heart of every individual. In the context of Kanya Pujan, it’s a moment to honor the pure intentions behind worshiping young girls as forms of the Goddess. Devotees believe that by clapping once, they awaken their inner longing for blessings like peace, strength, or prosperity, which the Kumaris, as embodiments of Shakti, can help fulfill. This energy of desire sets the stage for the divine connection between the worshiper and the feminine power they revere.
The Second Clap: Awakening Vishnu’s Energy of Action
The second clap brings to life the energy of Lord Vishnu, the preserver who sustains all existence. This clap stands for action—the steps and efforts a person takes to turn their desires into reality. During Garba, the rhythmic clap matches the dance movements, symbolizing devotion in motion. In Kanya Pujan, it reflects the active respect shown to the young girls—washing their feet, offering them food, and bowing to them. Vishnu’s energy flows through these acts, showing that honoring the divine feminine isn’t just a thought but a living practice. It’s about putting faith into action, a value deeply cherished in Hinduism.
The Third Clap: Awakening Shiva’s Energy of Knowledge and Boons
The third clap invokes the energy of Lord Shiva, the transformer and giver of wisdom. This clap signifies the results—the boons or blessings that come from devotion and effort. In Hindu belief, Shiva’s power brings knowledge, clarity, and fulfillment, completing the cycle started by desire and action. During Kanya Pujan, this clap is a moment of gratitude, as devotees receive the divine grace of the Kumaris, who bless them as living goddesses. The fire element tied to this clap burns away ignorance, leaving behind the light of understanding and the gifts of the Goddess, like courage, health, or abundance.
A Unique Hindu Celebration of the Feminine
The three claps weave together the energies of creation, preservation, and transformation, all centered around the worship of Shakti—the feminine divine. Whether in the joyous spins of Garba or the quiet reverence of Kanya Pujan, this ritual reflects Hinduism’s unmatched devotion to women and young girls. The claps awaken the fire within, purifying the mind and soul while honoring the sacred energy of the Goddess in every Kumari. No other religion ties such a profound spiritual act to the celebration of femininity, making this a uniquely Hindu tradition. Through these three simple claps, devotees connect to the cosmic forces of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, all while bowing to the divine power of girls and women—a practice that stands alone in its beauty and depth.
