On Ashtami and Navami, homes across North India open their doors to little girls who are welcomed as forms of Devi. Their feet are washed, a red chunri is tied, and they are served halwa, puri and kala chana. Then comes the part every child waits for: the gift. If you are wondering what to give for Kanya Pujan this year, here are kanjak gift ideas at every budget, from ₹100 to ₹500 and beyond.
Kanya Pujan 2026 date
Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October. Durga Ashtami falls on Monday, 19 October according to Drik Panchang (some calendars show Sunday, 18 October), and Maha Navami puja continues into the morning of Tuesday, 20 October, which is also Dussehra. Families perform Kanjak on either Ashtami or Navami, so check your family tradition and have your gifts ready by 17 October.
How many girls are invited for Kanjak?
Traditionally nine girls, representing the nine forms of Durga, along with one young boy called the langur (a form of Bhairav or Hanuman). Many families invite more, which is why "kanjak gifts pack of 12" is such a common search. Plan for nine to twelve gifts, plus a couple of spares for the neighbour's daughter who turns up unexpectedly.
What makes a good Kanya Pujan gift?
- Age-appropriate. Most kanjaks are between 2 and 10, so avoid small parts for the youngest.
- Useful or joyful. Something she will use at school or play with at home beats another plastic toy.
- The same for every girl. Give every kanjak an identical gift so no child feels left out.
- Given with respect. The gift is offered along with dakshina and the chunri, as a blessing, not a party favour.
Kanjak gifts under ₹100
At this budget, the classics still work best:
- A pencil box, crayons or a colouring book
- Hair clips, scrunchies or a small bangle set
- A steel tiffin box or water bottle
- A small piggy bank to keep her dakshina safe
Add a coin or a note of dakshina and the traditional red chunri, and your gift is complete.
Kanjak gifts under ₹250: a mini artist's easel
Want something a little more special that still suits a pack of nine or twelve? Give every girl her own tiny art studio. Our Mini Canvas with Wooden Easel costs ₹149 and comes pre-primed and ready for paint. Add a set of dotting tools (₹99) and each kanjak goes home with a mini canvas to paint and a wooden easel to display it on, for under ₹250 per girl.
For a pack of 12, that is 12 canvas-and-easel sets plus dotting tools. Pair them with a basic set of paints and she has everything she needs to make her first masterpiece.
Kanya Pujan gifts under ₹500
If you are inviting fewer girls, or want to give the nine kanjaks something they will talk about, the DIY Mini Painting Kit (₹499) is our favourite at this price. It includes mini canvases, vibrant paints and beginner-friendly stencils, so even the youngest kanjak ends up with a painting she is proud of.
Other ideas in this range:
- A children's storybook about the Devi or the Ramayana
- A small plant to grow, like the Grow in a Can herb kits (₹549)
- A school bag or a lunch set
Kanya Pujan gifts for older girls (₹500 to ₹1,000)
For girls aged eight to twelve, a proper craft kit makes the day feel grown-up. The DIY Sand Art Kit (₹899) lets her layer coloured sand into glass bottles with corks, and the DIY Diya Decoration Kit (₹649) gives her diyas to paint for Diwali, which is only three weeks later.
A small idea that makes a big difference
If you have space, set up a quick art corner after the meal. Lay out a mat, hand each girl her canvas and let them paint for fifteen minutes before their parents collect them. The gift becomes a memory, and the kanjaks leave with a painting and a blessing.
What not to give
- Sharp or small items for girls under five.
- Loud plastic toys that parents quietly dread.
- Anything leather, which many families avoid on a puja day.
Kanjak gifts: frequently asked questions
What should I gift for Kanya Pujan?
Give something useful or creative, the same for every girl: stationery, a small art set, a storybook, a tiffin box or a mini canvas with an easel. Add dakshina and a red chunri as part of the tradition.
What are good kanjak gifts under ₹100?
Crayons, a colouring book, a pencil box, hair accessories, a small steel tiffin or a piggy bank all work well at this budget.
When is Kanya Pujan in 2026?
Durga Ashtami is on Monday, 19 October 2026 per Drik Panchang (some calendars show 18 October), and Navami puja continues into the morning of Tuesday, 20 October. Kanya Pujan is performed on either day, depending on family tradition.
How many girls should be invited for Kanjak?
Traditionally nine girls, for the nine forms of Durga, plus one boy as the langur. Many families invite more, so plan for nine to twelve gifts.
This Ashtami, send every kanjak home with something she can make and keep. Orders are delivered in 4 to 7 working days, so order by 8 October to have your gifts ready before 17 October, and browse our kits for kids for more ideas.
