Uttarakhand Raj Bhawan organizes 'Kanya Pujan' to mark Durga Ashtami

Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya Wednesday organised "Kanya Pujan" at the Raj Bhawan here to mark Durga Ashtami.

A total of 101 young girls were invited for this purpose, an official release said.

Maurya worshipped the girls and served them food with her own hands on the occasion, it said.

Worshipping of young girls ("Kanya Pujan") is a tradition observed by Hindus on Durga Ashtami.

Reiterating her commitment to the education of the girl child, Maurya described Narendra Modi government's "Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao" campaign as a sacred mantra for the empowerment of women.

"Durga puja reminds us of the power of women and its importance in the Indian culture. We should make a pledge to respect women not only during the navratras but every day," she said.