India, Oct. 18 -- Kanjak Pujan, also known as Kanya Pujan, is observed on Ashtami or Navami during Navratri, when young girls are worshipped as manifestations of Goddess Durga. For actor Divya Dutta, who celebrates the ritual every year, it has taken on a special meaning as she now welcomes her niece and other young girls for the puja.

"Today, it's role reversal for me. I celebrate with my niece and other girls, wash their feet and seek blessings. It's about respecting and loving girls as a roop of Mata Rani," she says.

Her connection to the ritual dates back to her childhood in Delhi. "I would get at least 10 invites. One never felt as much in demand. There would be a competition among friends about who got the most invites," she recal...