Like every year, Kumari Puja was performed on the occasion of Maha Ashtami Tithi in Agartala, Tripura .
Pilgrims thronged the pujamandaps of Baul Bari in Badharghat Matripalli area and Bholananda Sevashram on Sunday.
On Mahaashtami, girl children who have not reached the fullness of womanhood are worshiped as virgin goddesses.
According to scriptures this puja is called Kumari Puja. Because no sense of sin is born in virgin children at this age. This worship has been going on since ancient times.
On Maha Ashtami, Kumari Puja is organized first, followed by Goddess Durga Puja.
A major part of Durgotsava is Kumari Puja. There is no end of curiosity among us about Kumari Puja. Usually this Kumari Puja is performed on Ashtami or Navami thithi.
Pandits have asked to perform this puja to honor and respect women. In hindu traditional religion, women have been placed in the best seat of honor.
The Brihadharma Purana gives a detailed description of Brahma’s Durga Puja for Rama. It was autumn, Dakshinayan. The sleeping time of the gods. So, Brahma awakened the goddess by chanting. Devi then came in the guise of a virgin and told Brahma to feel Durga at the root of the Bilva tree.
The gods came to earth and saw a fiery-colored girl sleeping in a mass of green leaves on the branch of a belgium tree in a remote place. Brahma understood that this girl is goddess Durga. He woke him up with a sigh. In praise of Brahma, Jagarita Devi gave up Balikamurti and assumed Chandikamurti.
According to Tantrasa, ‘Girls from 1 to 16 years are suitable for Kumari Puja. They must not be menstruating. Now let’s know the names of virgins according to age.
1 year old daughter Sandhya, 2 year old daughter Saraswati, 3 year old daughter Kalika, 5 year old daughter Subhaga, 6 year old daughter Uma, Malini to 7-year-old daughter, Kubjika to 8-year-old daughter, 9-year-old daughter Aparajita, 10-year-old daughter Kalasandharbha, 11 year old daughter Rudrani, Bhairavi to 12-year-old daughter, Mahalakshmi to 13-year-old daughter, Pithanayika to 14 year old daughter, Kshetragna to 15 year old daughter, and a 16-year-old daughter is called Ambika.
In Hindu scriptures, all these names express one quality of the nature of the Mother of the Universe. Almost all virgin girls can be worshiped as virgins. But usually 5 to 7 year old girls are nominated for Kumari Puja.
