Greater Noida West : The sacred spirit of Navratri filled the Ramlila Ground in Ecotech-12, Greater Noida West, as Prabhu Shri Ramlila Seva Trust organised a grand kanya pujan ceremony honouring 1,008 young girls as manifestations of Maa Durga and the divine feminine power of Maa Mahashakti.
The religious gathering brought together hundreds of lifetime members of the trust, residents and devotees from various residential societies across the region. The ceremony began with women leading the auspicious kanya pujan, offering prayers and expressing reverence for the divine feminine. The young girls were worshipped according to tradition and offered prasad, creating an atmosphere filled with devotion, faith and spiritual warmth.
The occasion reflected the essence of Navratri, a festival dedicated to the worship of Maa Durga in her various divine forms. Across the nine sacred nights, devotees seek the blessings of the Goddess for strength, wisdom, prosperity and the triumph of good over evil.
1,008 kanya pujan celebrates the divine feminine
In Sanatan Dharma, kanya pujan holds a special place during Navratri. Young girls are revered as symbolic manifestations of the divine feminine, representing purity, innocence, compassion and the limitless power of the Goddess.
By worshipping 1,008 kanya swaroops, the trust sought to express its devotion to Maa Mahashakti and reinforce the message that the reverence offered to the Goddess must also be reflected in the respect shown towards women and daughters in everyday life.
The ceremony served as a reminder that Shakti, the divine feminine energy, is central to the spiritual philosophy of Hinduism. The worship of Maa Durga symbolises courage, protection and the strength to overcome adversity.
The participation of women in initiating the pujan added to the significance of the occasion, highlighting the role of women in preserving religious traditions and passing cultural values on to future generations.
International para-athlete Shweta Sharma inspires devotees
International para-athlete and wheelchair athlete Shweta Sharma attended the religious gathering as the chief guest. A gold medallist, Sharma has represented India in sporting disciplines including javelin throw, shot put and discus throw.
Her presence added an inspiring dimension to the Navratri celebration. Her journey in sports reflects perseverance, discipline and determination in the face of physical challenges.
The spirit of Navratri itself celebrates the power to confront difficulties with courage and faith. Sharma’s sporting journey resonated with this message, reminding attendees that determination and self-belief can help individuals move beyond obstacles and pursue their aspirations.
Her participation brought together the themes of spiritual strength and human resilience, making the occasion meaningful for devotees and young people alike.
Lakshman Shakti and Hanuman Ji’s Sanjeevani mission to be staged
The grand Ramlila Mahotsav will continue with the staging of significant episodes from the Ramayana during the evening.
Among the key presentations scheduled is the emotionally charged Lakshman Shakti episode, followed by the legendary account of Lord Hanuman bringing the Sanjeevani herb to save Lakshman.
These episodes portray the unwavering devotion of Hanuman Ji, the deep bond between Lord Ram and Lakshman and the extraordinary courage displayed in the face of adversity.
Hanuman Ji’s journey in search of the life-saving herb remains one of the most enduring examples of devotion, selfless service and determination in the Ramayana. His actions demonstrate how faith combined with courage and a spirit of service can become a source of hope during the most difficult moments.
Through its annual Ramlila celebrations, Prabhu Shri Ramlila Seva Trust aims to connect younger generations with India’s spiritual heritage, cultural traditions and the timeless ideals associated with Lord Ram.
Religious celebrations strengthen community bonds
The gathering also reflected the role of religious festivals in bringing communities together. Residents from different societies participated in the ceremony, contributing to an atmosphere of collective faith and shared cultural identity.
Such celebrations provide an opportunity for families to introduce children to traditional rituals, stories from Hindu scriptures and the values of compassion, respect and service.
The kanya pujan ceremony conveyed a message extending beyond religious observance: the worship of the divine feminine should inspire society to uphold the dignity of women, nurture young girls and recognise their potential.
For Greater Noida West, the event was an occasion to celebrate devotion while reinforcing the importance of community participation in religious and cultural life.
Trust to continue religious and social initiatives
Prabhu Shri Ramlila Seva Trust president Deepak Yadav described the kanya pujan as a matter of spiritual privilege and expressed gratitude to the devotees and volunteers who contributed to the programme.
He said that the worship of 1,008 girls during Navratri represented the trust’s devotion to Maa Mahashakti and its commitment to the values of Sanatan Dharma, particularly reverence for mothers, sisters and daughters.
“Our effort is to ensure that religious celebrations in Greater Noida West continue alongside social and cultural programmes that bring people together and strengthen our traditions. Our lifetime members are working continuously, and the support we receive from residents of different societies and devotees of Lord Ram remains a source of inspiration. The trust will continue organising religious and social service initiatives in the future,” Yadav said.
He also thanked the trust’s lifetime members, supporters and local residents, noting that the event was made possible through collective effort and dedication.
The trust invited residents to attend the Ramlila Mahotsav with their families and participate in the upcoming religious and cultural programmes.
A celebration of faith, Shakti and the ideals of Sanatan Dharma
The grand kanya pujan at Greater Noida West offered devotees an opportunity to express their reverence for Maa Durga and seek the blessings of Maa Mahashakti during the auspicious period of Navratri.
As prayers were offered to the 1,008 young girls, the ceremony conveyed a timeless spiritual message: the power of the Goddess is celebrated not only through worship and rituals but also through compassion, respect and the values practised in everyday life.
With the evening’s Ramayana episodes set to bring the devotion of Hanuman Ji and the ideals of Lord Ram to the stage, the Ramlila Mahotsav continued to serve as a meeting point for faith, culture and community.
Jai Mata Di! Jai Maa Mahashakti! Jai Shri Ram!