Sandhi Puja of Mahashtami in Durga Puja

This article is on Sandhi Puja, the most important ritual of Durga Puja. You will get information about the importance of Sandhi Puja and other rituals associated with Sandhi Puja.

Sandhi Puja is one of the most important ritual of Mahashtami in Durga Puja. Sandhi Puja is performed at the juncture of Mahashtami and Mahanavami. Sandhi Puja starts when there is only 24 minutes left in Mahashtami and continues upto first 24 minutes of Mahanavami.  Sandhi Puja is considered as very tough from the point of views of Pujaris and only experienced Pujaris can perform the Puja properly. The time during which the Sandhi Puja continues is known as ‘Sandhikshan’. In Sandhi Puja Maa Durga is worshipped in her Chamunda form. Among different forms of Goddess Durga, Chamunda is an angry form. It is said that Devi Durga killed two demons, Chanda and Munda in this time.

The Sandhi Puja is performed amidst beats of Dhak, sound of conch shells and bells. Sacrifice is also very important part of Sandhi Puja. Mostly buffalos and goats are sacrificed during Sandhi Puja. In many Sandhi Puja, vegetables like pumpkin, banana etc are sacrificed instead of animals. 108 lotus flowers are required to perform Sandhi Puja. 108 diyas-earthen lamps are lighted during Sandhi Puja.  Sandhi Pujas in different old house hold Durga Pujas are worth seeing.

With the end of Sandhi Puja, Mahanavami starts.