Events
- Sunday 9th Oct 2016
Saraswati Puja Durga Ashtami Sandhi Puja
Purva Ashadha Puja Muhurat = 06:25 to 12:07
Duration = 5 Hours 42 Mins
2016 Saraswati Pradhan Puja
The second day of Saraswati Puja during Navratri is Saraswati Pradhan Puja day.
Mahashtami Puja Time
Ashtami Tithi Begins = 21:24 on 8/Oct/2016
Ashtami Tithi Ends = 22:30 on 9/Oct/2016
2016 Mahashtami, Durgashtami
Mahashtami, also known as Maha Durgashtami, is second day of Durga Puja. Maha Ashtami is one of the most important days of Durga Puja. Durga Puja on Maha Ashtami begins with Mahasnan and Shodashopachar Puja which is very much similar to Maha Saptami Puja except Prana Pratishtha which is done only once on Maha Saptami.
On Maha Ashtami nine small pots are installed and nine Shaktis of Durga are invoked in them. All nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja. Young and unmarried girls, being treated as Goddess Durga itself, are also worshipped on Maha Ashtami. Worshipping of young girls during Durga Puja is known as Kumari Puja. In many regions Kumari Puja is done during all nine days of Durga Navratri. Kumari Puja on a single day during Durga Puja is preferred on Maha Ashtami.
The legendary Sandhi Puja is also falls on Maha Asthami. The time window of the last 24 minutes of Ashtami Tithi and the first 24 minutes of Navami Tithi is known as Sandhi Time or the holy juncture during Durga Puja. Sandhi time is considered the most auspicious time during whole Durga Puja. Sandhi Puja is the culmination point and the most important ritual of Durga Puja. It is customary to perform Balidan or animal sacrifice at this sacred juncture. Devotees who abstain from animal sacrifice perform symbolic Bali with vegetables like banana, cucumber or pumpkin. For Brahmins any type of animal sacrifice is prohibited by scriptures and Brahmin community does only symbolic Bali. Even the famous Belur Math in West Bengal does symbolic Bali with banana during Sandhi Puja. It is customary to light 108 earthen lamps during Sandhi Kaal.
Shardiya Navratri Sandhi Puja
Sandhi Puja Muhurta = 22:06 to 22:54
Duration = 0 Hours 48 Mins
2016 Shardiya Navratri Sandhi Puja
Sandhi Puja has special significance during Navratri Puja. It is done at the juncture when Ashtami Tithi ends and Navami Tithi starts. It is believed that Devi Chamunda was appeared during this time to kill demons Chanda and Munda.
Sandhi Puja prevails for two Ghatis which approximately lasts for 48 minutes. Sandhi Puja Muhurta might fall at any time during the day and Sandhi Puja is done during that time only. You might also be interested in complete Shardiya Navratri Calendar and Durga Puja Calendar.