Kanjak Ashtami puja is an important ritual during the Chaitra Navratri or Vasant Navratri. It falls on the eighth day – the Ashtami day – of the nine-day Navratri festival. A young girl child (Kanjaks) is worshipped on this day in North India . In 2024, the date of Kanjak Ashtami is marked on April 16. On the day people invite young girls to their homes and wash their feet and tie red color thread on their wrists. A tika is applied on the girl child’s forehead and worship them as Mother Goddess. The family members take blessing from the young child by touching their feet. The children are given ‘prasad,’ gifts and some money. Why is Kanjak Puja Performed? It is believed that performing Kanjak Puja will help in the removal of poverty. It ushers in peace and prosperity. It is also performed for overcoming enemies. It is also performed to overcome Vastu Dosh. The belief is that feeding five kanya on Chaitra Ashtami or Navami will remove all types of disturbances and difficulti