Key Highlights

  • Family ritual: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta performed Kanya Pujan with her family on Maha Navami, Monday, October 19.
  • Core message: She said respecting, educating, protecting and empowering daughters is essential for society’s true progress.
  • Government pledge: She reaffirmed the Delhi government’s commitment to the safety, education and empowerment of every daughter.
  • Rare overlap: Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fell on the same day in several parts of India this year.
  • Tithi timing: Several panchangs placed the end of Ashtami at around 10.50 a.m. in New Delhi, after which Navami began.

Kanya Pujan at the Chief Minister’s Home

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marked Maha Navami on Monday, October 19, by performing Kanya Pujan with her family. She prayed to Maa Durga for a bright future for all daughters and for the happiness and prosperity of the people.

‘Equal Opportunity Is the True Spirit of Kanya Pujan’

The Chief Minister said daughters embody divine Shakti. She stressed that respecting, educating, protecting and empowering them is necessary for the real progress of society.

According to her, giving every daughter equal opportunities to grow and achieve her dreams reflects the true meaning of Kanya Pujan. She also reaffirmed that the Delhi government is committed to ensuring the safety, education and empowerment of every daughter.

What Is Kanya Pujan?

Kanya Pujan is one of the most important rituals of Navratri. Young girls are worshipped as forms of the divine feminine. Devotees wash their feet, offer prayers and serve them food as a mark of respect for the Goddess. In many homes, the ritual is the emotional high point of the nine-day festival.

Why Ashtami and Navami Fell on the Same Day

This year, Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami were observed on the same day in several parts of India, which left many devotees confused about when to fast and perform rituals.

The reason lies in the Hindu calendar. Festivals follow ‘tithis’, or lunar days, not the regular 24-hour day. Since a tithi can start or end at any time, two important observances can sometimes fall on one calendar date.

In 2026, Ashtami fell on Monday, October 19, and ended in the late morning. Several panchangs placed its end at around 10.50 a.m. in New Delhi, after which Navami began and continued into the next day.

As per tradition, when this happens under certain conditions, devotees can perform all the rituals on the same day: morning Ashtami worship, Sandhi Puja at the meeting point of the two tithis, and Navami prayers.

Two Goddesses, One Day

On Ashtami, devotees in many regions worship Maa Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, linked with purity, peace and forgiveness. Maha Navami is dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri, the ninth form, believed to grant spiritual accomplishments and wisdom.

Many families also perform Navami Havan, offering ghee and sacred materials into the holy fire, and then end their nine-day fast.

Why It Matters

Kanya Pujan carries a message that goes beyond ritual. Worshipping girls as the Goddess for one day is meaningful only when it is matched by everyday respect, safety and opportunity. By linking the ritual to education and empowerment, the Chief Minister’s message turned a personal act of faith into a wider social reminder.

The Bottom Line

Navratri celebrates the victory of good over evil and devotion to the divine feminine. Kanya Pujan, in particular, reminds society that honouring girls and women must continue long after the festival ends.

With inputs from IANS.