Washed feet of girls, seeks their blessings by serving them

food

Prayagraj, 19 Oct (HS): On the auspicious occasion of Mahanavami of Sharadiya

Navratri on Monday, Uttar Pradesh Government's Industrial Development Minister

Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi and former Mayor Abhilasha Gupta Nandi along with their

families performed puja of Maa Durga with all the rituals at their residence in

Bahadurganj. On this occasion, fulfilling the pledge of the unbroken fast that

lasted for nine days, they praised Maa Adishakti, performed havan-puja and

worshipped girls. Minister Nandi and former Mayor worshipped girls by washing

their feet and received their blessings by offering them food.

During the Kanya Pujan, Minister Nandi and the former Mayor took water from a

pot in a brass plate and washed the feet of the unmarried girls and applied

color on their feet. After this, after applying tilak of roli, sandalwood, curd

and Akshat on the forehead of the girls, they covered them with a chunari.

Along with performing aarti, they took their blessings by presenting gifts and

Dakshina. During this, Minister Nandi and the former Mayor served food to the

girls with their own hands and made them accept the prasad with devotion.

Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi said that daughters are the foundation of

happiness, prosperity, and progress. Worshiping girls symbolizes the great

tradition of Indian culture, which considers women as embodiments of power,

creation, and respect. Kanya Pujan is not just a religious ritual, but also a

message of reverence, respect, and recognition of the importance of daughters.

Minister Nandi said that Sharadiya Navratri is a sacred festival dedicated to

the worship of Mother Adishakti. Mother Durga is omnipotent and omnipresent.

The nine days of Navratri are dedicated to Mother Durga, the mother of the

universe, and in Indian culture, virgin girls are worshipped as embodiments of

the Goddess.

He said that today, daughters are in no way inferior to sons in any field. With

their talent and potential, they are setting new benchmarks in every field,

including education, science, sports, entrepreneurship, administration, and

social life. It is our responsibility to respect daughters, ensure their

safety, education, and provide them with equal opportunities for advancement.

Worship of Goddess Durga will only be meaningful when we embrace the resolve to

respect and empower women in our lives.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi