Fri Oct 11 05:44:35 UTC 2024: ## Durga Ashtami and Navami 2024: Celebrate the End of Navratri with Kanya Pujan

**New Delhi, October 11, 2024:** Today marks the culmination of the nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga in her nine different forms. While Ashtami (eighth day) ends at 12:07 PM today, Navami (ninth day) will begin and conclude by 10:59 AM tomorrow, October 12th.

The final day of Navratri is especially significant due to the tradition of **Kanya Pujan**, where young girls (aged 2-10 years) are revered as embodiments of Goddess Durga. Families welcome these girls into their homes, washing their feet, offering them special food (puri, chana, halwa), and showering them with gifts.

This year, both Ashtami and Navami fall on the same day (October 11th), making it an auspicious day for Kanya Pujan. The act is believed to bring blessings of prosperity and happiness to the household.

“It is crucial to offer food without onion and garlic to the girls,” stated a religious leader, “and ensure to clean the house only after bidding farewell to the girls.”

The auspicious time for Havan (fire ritual) during Navratri is between 11:44 AM and 12:31 PM on October 11th.

As the festival concludes, devotees observe a fast throughout Navratri and break it after performing Kanya Pujan.

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