Kanya Puja - Significance

Kanyaa pūja (kumari puja)(कन्या पूजा) is a holy ritual performed to primarily worship Kanyas (girls in the age group of >1 year to under 10 years), representing the nine child forms of the THE GOD MOTHER. Each day of Navaraathri represents a different form of GOD MOTHER.

The presiding deity for the eighth day of Navarathri is Sri Durga and that is the origin of the eighth day being referred to as Durgaashtami.

Navarathri Day Presiding Deity Shloka
One  Sri Kaumari ॐ कौमार्यै नमः।  Om Kaumaryai Namah। 
Two  Sri Tripura ॐ त्रिपुरायै नम | Om Tripurayai Namah |
Three  Sri Kalyani ॐ कल्याण्यै नमः।  Om Kalyaanyai Namah |
Four  Sri Rohini ॐ रोहिण्यै नमः।  Om Rohinyai Namah |
Five  Sri Kamini ॐ कामिन्यै नमः।  Om Kaminyai Namah।
Six  Sri Chandika ॐ चण्डिकायै नमः।  Om Chandikayai Namah |
Seven  Sri Shaankari ॐ शांकर्यै  नमः।  Om Shaankaryai Namah |
Eight  Sri Durga ॐ दुर्गायै  नमः।  Om Durgaayai Namah |
Nine  Sri Subhadra ॐ सुभद्रायै  नमः।  Om Subhadrayai Namah |