Nine young girls, representing the devis, and one boy, representing devta (protector of the devis), were worshipped during the Kanya Koomarie puja at the El Dorado Shiv Mandir (ESM), Maha Sabha Branch No 51. The Kanya Koomarie puja consists of the washing of the feet, garlanding, aarti, tilak, offering of food and gifts to the devis and the devta. The Kanya Koomarie puja took place on April 11 at the El Dorado Shiv Mandir where scores of devotees converged for the occasion. The ceremony was conducted under the auspices of Pundits Deosaran and Vinai Sharma, spiritual heads of ESM.
"This puja is an important part of the observance during the Naw Raatri period for Hindus," said Pt Vinai. "It falls on the on Mahaastami (Durga Ashtami) day." Why do we observe this puja?
Pt Vinai explained: "As per the Hindu scriptures, Kumari Puja is observed to rememorise the demolition of the demon Kalasura by the Goddess Maha Kali. Legend tells that the demon Kolasura occupied the heavens and the earth. All gods were helpless and tired with the bad actions of Kolasura. They approached goddess Mahakali for help. The goddess was born again as goddess Durga Devi and demolished Kolasura." During the ceremony, Koomarie Amrita Umraw rendered a special bhajan entitled Ma Jai Amba Ma. Amrita, who is seven years old, said: "I am glad as a Hindu this occasion brings parents and children together to remind them of the divinity in all of us. I am glad that so many parents encourage their children to observe the fast and take part in the koomarie puja. I am glad that the devotees not only worship the nine girls and one boy but all the children in the temple. They all see us as one."
ESM president Nirmala Harrylal also spoke and said: "Girls should not be worshipped for just one day. All females from childhood to adult should be revered with respect. Our scriptures have emphasised Koomarie Puja particularly to evolve the purity and divinity of the women of the society. "However, much as men have to revere respect onto women, the same applies to women. They, too,, need to remember they represent devis and as such display actions that uphold devi status. We hope that the Kanya Koomarie Puja reinforces the message of the divinity in all of us and how important it is especially as parents to instill in our children the right values. "How else can we expect to see in society men treating women with love and affection and vice versa or adults treating children with devotion? "In other words, we have our job to do today to curb ills such as domestic violence and child abuse to name a few. And it starts with passing on the right values to our children today."