Shaktism is all-inclusive and acknowledges the Divine even in the so-called ‘backward’ classes. That is why Shakta Tantras identify nine classes of women known as ‘Kulanganas’ or ‘Navakanyas’ as the Divine. Women of these nine classes are revered and can become Stri Guru (female Gurus) in Shaktism.
“națī kapālikā veśyā rajakī nāpitāńganā | brāhmaņī śudrakańyā ca tathā gopālakańyakā || mālākārasya kańyā ca nava kańyā prakīrtitā ||”(Guptasadhana Tantra 1:12)
Națī (dancer/actress), Kapālikā (skull-bearing Tantric), Veśyā (prostitute), Rajakī (laundry girl), Nāpita (barber), Brahmāņī (Brahmin), Śudra, Gopāla (milkmaid) and Mālākāra (gardener); women of these kinds are known as Navakańyās.
Coming to the question, the soil from the courtyard of the nine Kulanganas, including the prostitute, is collected to mould the image of Devi to honour them. Those who worship metal or stone images too should collect the soil and spread it at the base of Ghatam/Kalasham. Devi Puja is not complete if these nine women are not honoured either by worshiping their daughters in Kumari Puja or by making donations to them and feeding them.
