Days are counted based on sunrise and sunset while 'Tithi' depends on the rising and setting of the moon. Sandhi Puja is performed counting 'Tithi'. Sasthi, Saptami, Nabami and Dashami pujas are performed after sunrise even if they fall in the previous evenings.
"Sandhi puja" is the End moment of Ashtami and the beginning of Nabami is the time for Sandhi Puja. At this time Devi Durga transformed into Devi Camunda to kill "Chando" and "Mundo", the two generals of
Mahishasura.
Time-Table of Durga Puja of the year 2005 : (According to IST) For Delhi
8th October (The fifth lunar day: Panchami) –sun rises at 6:22 am
and sets at 5:55 pm. lasting up to 2-32 pm. At evening invocation of
goddess Durga (Bodhanam)
9th October (The sixth lunar day: MahaSasthi) – sun rises at 6:22 am
and sets at 5:55 pm. lasting up to 1 pm. Within forenoon worship
abiding by the provided customs for the day must be begun. At
evening praying for inviting the goddess and dwelling home (Adhibasa).
10th October (The seventh lunar day: MahaSapthami) – sun rises at
6:23 am and sets at 5:52 pm. lasting up to 11:09 am.
Establishment of new leaf (kalabow) and beginning of worship abiding
by the provided customs for the day must be begun within forenoon.
Worship according to the customs provided for late night should be
begun at past of 11:49pm but within 12:37pm.
Goddess will ride on elephant to come on earth; out come—plentiful
harvest.
11th October (The eighth lunar day: MahaAshthami) – sun rises at
6:23 am and sets at 5:52 pm. lasting up to 9:03 am. Beginning of
worship abiding by the provided customs for the day must be begun
within 9:03 am but in respect of worship for the juncture moment of
The eighth & ninth lunar day it should be begun within 8:39 am.
Performing ritualism for the veerashthami and ritualistic fasting
for the Maha Ashthami within 9:03 am.
Timing for worship for the juncture moment of The eighth & ninth
lunar day
Beginning: at past of 8:39am
Immolation: at past of 9:03am
Ending: within 9:27am
After finishing worship for the juncture moment of The eighth &
ninth lunar day Worship in respect of the custom provided for the
ninth lunar day be begun at past of 9:27am but within forenoon.
12th October (The ninth lunar day (Nabami) & Vijaya-Dashami) -- sun
rises at 6:24 am and sets at 5:50 pm The ninth lunar day lasts upto
6:47 am and the tenth lunar day up to 4:23am of 13th October.
Worship in respect of the custom provided for the tenth lunar day be
begun at past of 6:47 am but within forenoon and immersion.
Goddess will return on boat; outcome—increase of crop & water.
After immersion worship of Aparajita (according to family – customs)
& ritualism of Vijaya dashami.
