Like every other household that hosts Durga Pujo, Sandhi Pujo is the event of prime significance even for the Daw family. An integral and important part of Durga Puja, Sandhi Puja is performed at the juncture of the 8th and 9th lunar day. Sandhi pujo lasts from the last 24 minutes of Ashtami till the first 24 minutes of Nabami. During this juncture or the 'Sandhikhan' , Durga is worshipped in her Chamunda form. Devi Durga killed, Chando and Mundo, the two asuras at 'Sandhikhan' and thus acquired the name of 'Chamunda' at this point in time.
An elaborate offering is made to the goddess in the form of ‘Noibeddyo”, which is prepared and presented by the male members of the family. The 'Noibeddyo' is prepared with 1 monn (40 Kgs.) Rice which is decorated with 45 small pots consisting variety of items.
An elaborate offering is made to the goddess in the form of ‘Noibeddyo”, which is prepared and presented by the male members of the family. The 'Noibeddyo' is prepared with 1 monn (40 Kgs.) Rice which is decorated with 45 small pots consisting variety of items.
'Sondhi pujo' at the Daw family is a unique event. As has been the tradition in many a famous families, the 'Sandhikhan' at the Daw household is marked by firing a 300 year old cannon. Arms dealers since the last century or more, the family not just offer 'Noibedyo' but also offer a two gun salute apart from the cannon fire as a mark of respect to the goddess of power. The senior members of the family look after the time sitting right in front of the idol and at the stroke of the august moment one of them shout out 'Ma' at the sound of which the present active generation member fire the two guns and the cannons in unison. The stunned silence carried out throughout the preparation time is broken by the ear shattering sound of the three fire arms as the purohit chants the mantras. It is a strange experience and is bound to evoke a sense of surrender to the supreme power to even the staunchest atheist in the vicinity.
The puja is completed by offering 108 lotus flowers, a single fruit, cloth, jewellery, garland of 108 hibiscus, garland of 108 Aparajita flower, and garland of 108 wood apple (Bel) leaves. Dipmala, a series of 108 diyas are burnt to welcome goddess Chamunda to the house with the "Devi Prasida Paripalay' mantra. The Arati is followed by the members of the family offering pushpanjali. Many of the women of the house observe a fast till the end of the 'Sondhi pujo' no matter how late in the night it is scheduled. The Daws following the Vaishnav tradition do not have the ritual of sacrifice. This ritual marks the end of Mahashtami and the beginning of Mahanabami.