Sandhi Puja

In the month of Ashwin, Bengalis celebrate their biggest festival- Durga Puja. With “Mahalaya” the festivities start which is the first full moon of the month and the puja starts on the sixth lunar day. An integral part of the puja is Sandhi puja which is performed at the juncture of 8^th (Ashtami) and 9^th (Nabami) lunar day. Sandhipuja lasts from the last 24 minute of Ashtami to first 24 minutes of Nabami.

According to the myths, Devi Durga was engaged in a fierce battle with Mahisasura for ten days. Two of his generals Chando and Mundo attacked Durga from her behind. Enraged, she took a furious form and killed both of them together. The time of their killing is celebrated as Sandhipuja and she is worshipped as “Chamunda”.

The puja is performed with dedication and 108 “deep"s or earthen lamps are used to worship her along with other offerings.

I know of Sandhi Puja. It is considered a pious act to light the earthen lamps.

I had gone to a small village during puja holidays to meet my aunt. A single puja was celebrated in the whole village. On the day of Astami I went to visit the small pandal.

As the time for Sandhipuja was approaching people were busy with preparations. 108 earthen lamps were lighted and other puja requirements were well laid out. With sacred sound of conch shells and “uludhoni” the priest started the puja. He did the arati with such devotion and grace that I stood spellbound. His face glowed in the soft lights of the lamp. As he chanted the slokas to invoke Devi Chamunda I felt the presence of divinity. I stood still with joined hands as the rituals were performed.

I still remember that experience vividly.

The thread reminds me of all those Durga Pujas I spent at the Darjipara Puja in North Calcutta.
They have a unique tradition. Just before, Sandhi Puja they burst three crackers. This alerts all the neighbours that Sandhi Puja is about to start. The time of Sandhi Puja is not fixed and may vary from early evening to late night or even early morning. Whatever be the time, I remember accompanying my grandmother and brother to the Sandhi Puja. The smoke from the numerous Dhunichi would waft everywhere and cloud the Devi Durga’s face one moment. The next moment the Devi’s face would magically appear.

During Durga puja, goddess Durga is worshipped in various forms but the most powerful of these is the “Kumari” or virgin form. The Kumari form of the goddess is the most dynamic form and our scriptures also mention worshipping of Kumari as Kumari shakti is the basis of all creations.

For this puja, a girl aged between one and sixteen is chosen who has not reached puberty. Usually eight year old girls are selected. The girl is chosen with much care as she has to possess all the signs of a “sulakshana” (lucky child).

On the day of Ashtami or Nabami the Kumari is bathed in holy waters of the Ganga and draped in a red benarasi saree. She fasts till the puja ends. She is also adorned with flowers and jewelry and alta is applied on her feet and vermilion on her forehead. She then sits in front of the goddess and priests worship her as goddess. She is gifted with gold, silver and clothes. After puja the divinity of Devi Durga is said to be observed in her.

Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival that is celebrated with much devotion and dedication in West Bengal. For four days from Saptami to Dashami lot of rituals are performed and Devi Durga is worshipped with much gusto. Pushpanjali (flower offering) is done by devotees on all four days. Pushpanjali is praying to god for the well being and prosperity of the entire family. Since Ashtami is the most important day of the festival devotees throng the pandals to offer their prayers to Devi.

Usually devotees keep a fast on Ashtami till afternoon. They gather in the pandals and the priest gives them fresh flowers. With folded hands the devotees chant slokas and offer these flowers to the goddess. After pushpanjali devotees break their fast by having bhog (food offered to god).

hello Girls,

Sandhi Pujo marks the end of Austami and the beginning of Dashami. i was awake in this 'sandhi pujo', the pujo begins with the 'snan' of the Maa Durga(the torpon). then the 'aroti' and the 'anjoli'.
the best part is the lighting the 108 'pradeep'.

bye,

Aparna

Hey Friends,

thanks for sharing the information on Sandhhi Pujo. i felt, i relived those days when i used to spend pujo in my city, kolkata. i remember staying awake if the Sandhhi Pujo was scheduled at night and accompanying my mother to our para pandal. lighting of earthern lamps is truly the best part about Snadhhi Pujo, at times, i also joined ohters from my para to lighten the lamps.

good post.

love,

Nabanita