What Sandhi Puja marks
In Bengali Durga Puja traditions, Sandhi Puja is performed at the junction between Ashtami and Navami tithis and is associated with Durga’s Chamunda form. The ritual is especially prominent in Durga Puja rather than being a universal household Navratri practice across India.
Why there is no single universal clock time
The Sandhi window is calculated from the end of Ashtami and beginning of Navami, so the civil clock time depends on the location and panchang. Some traditions use 108 lamps and other specific offerings. If a page gives an exact time, it must be verified for the reader’s city.
2026 date note: Standard 2026 Shardiya Navratri calendars list Day 1 on October 11, Maha Navami on October 19 and Vijayadashami on October 20. Tithi-sensitive clock times vary by location, so check a local panchang for exact muhurat times in your city. Reference calendar.