The significance of poori, halwa, and kale chane on Ashtami and Navmi during Navratri

Maha Ashtami and Navmi puja mark the end of the Navratri celebration. The eighth Maa Durga manifestation, known as Mahaguri, is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. Maa Siddhidatri is worshipped and Maha Navami is celebrated on the ninth day. People pray to the two forms of Goddess Durga on both of the tithis, and then they pray and give sweets to little girls, known as kanjak. Navratri fasters break their fast on this day by giving young girls the customary bhog of poori, sooji halwa, and sukha kala chana. Ashtami is observed on October 3 this year, and Maha Navami is observed on October 4 this year.

It is claimed that the young girls who are worshipped on this day are the forms of Goddess Durga, according to the Devi Bhagwat Puran. The worship of and feeding of nine females and one boy (known as Langur) for the same purpose is also referred to as Kanjak Puja or Kanya Pujan.

Kanjak Puja traditionally starts with washing of feet of young girls between the ages of 2 and 10. Then, a kalava is tied on their hands and kumkum and an akshat (rice) tilak are put to their foreheads. They then receive sukha kala chana, poori, halwa, and prasad made from soft coconut.

Experts in Indian mythology claim that all of the prasads, including poori, chana, and halwa, are nutritious since they are cooked with desi ghee. Chana and sooji are high in dietary fibre from a nutritional standpoint and help to lower blood sugar levels because of this. Additionally, they support cholesterol balancing and maintenance, enhancing cardiovascular health. According to studies, black chana also includes saponins, which stop cancer cells from proliferating and migrating throughout the body. Additionally, it contains selenium, which is crucial for the detoxification of substances that cause cancer. Sooji, on the other hand, promotes weight loss while being heart healthy.