Sandhi Puja (Ram ki Shakti Aradhana)
The most spectacular part of Durga Puja celebration, Sandhi Puja is performed at the sandhi-kaal (moment) when Maha Ashtami ends and Maha Navami begins. This ritualistic ceremony holds special significance because it is believed that the Goddess killed the Mahishasur (buffalo demon) at this time. Devi Durga engaged in a fierce battle against Mahishasura and was attacked by the demons Chanda and Munda. Goddess Chamunda emerged from the third eye of Durga and killed Chanda and Munda at the cusp of Ashtami and Navami. Worshipping of the Goddess in this part of the festivity requires a grand arrangement that entails 108 lotus flowers, 108 lamps, platefuls of sweets, a large pot full of rice grains, clothes, hibiscus garlands, wood apple leaves, vermillion, etc.
It is also believed that Lord Ram starts worshiping Ma Durga with 108 blue lotuses in the battle field in order to defeat Raavan. On the cusp of Ashtami and Navami when Ram was in deep meditation Ma Durga takes an invisible form and takes away the last 108th flower. When Lord Ram stretches his hand to take the last flower to offer it he finds it missing. Now, as he can’t leave his Aasana (seat) without completing his Tapasya nor it was possible to ask anyone to bring more blue lotuses because he had to complete the puja within the fixed time frame. Suddenly a thought comes in Rama’s mind that Mother Kaushalya used to call him Rajeev (Kamal) Nayan. He decides to offer his eye as 108th blue lotus. He aims bow n arrow toward his left eye. Ma Durga becomes pleased and blessed Lord Rama.
