Durga Puja Tanbi Bosano Ritual In Sandhi Puja - Measuring the Sacred Time Using Circular Copper Bowl With Hole

This particular Durga Puja ritual is named Sandhi Puja because it is performed at the juncture (Sandhikshana) of Ashtami and Maha Navami (the eighth and ninth lunar days). The Puja lasts for a total of 48 minutes: the last 24 minutes of the Ashtami Tithi (lunar day) and the first 24 minutes of the Maha Navami Tithi. Tanbi Bosano ritual in Sandhi Puja is the measuring of the sacred time using a circular copper bowl with a very small hole.

The Reason For Sandhi Puja

During Sandhi Puja, Goddess Durga is worshipped in her form as Chamunda. At this time, she is the Sarvasangharini (destroyer of all). According to Puranic tales, while Goddess Durga was battling the demon Mahishasura, she was attacked by his two general demons, Chanda and Munda. It was at a great juncture (Mahasandhikshana) that the Goddess, in her form as Chamunda, slew Chanda and Munda. Sandhi Puja is performed to commemorate this event.

Measuring the Sacred Time

This special Puja must be completed within the 48 minutes. In traditional family Pujas (Barir Pujo), the timing and all the ritualistic rules are adhered to strictly.

In ancient times, there was a custom of using a 'Tanbi or Taambi' to measure the 48 minutes of Sandhi Puja. Even today, this custom is followed during Sandhi Puja in some traditional, aristocratic houses (Bonedi Baris).

Understanding the Ancient Time System

While time is now measured in hours, minutes, and seconds, it was previously measured in prahar, danda, etc. A whole day has eight prahars. Each prahar is three hours, or 180 minutes. One danda is one-seventh and a half (7.5) of a prahar, meaning 180 / 7.5 = 24 minutes.

Sandhi Puja is the worship performed over two dandas: the last one danda (24 minutes) of Ashtami Tithi and the first one danda (24 minutes) of Navami Tithi.

What is a 'Tanbi'?

The word 'Tanbi or Taambi' most likely originates from the word for a copper bowl (Taamar Baati). It can be described as a type of water clock.

A circular copper bowl with a very small hole was placed inside a large earthen pot or a large metallic basin filled with water. Water would slowly enter the copper bowl through the small hole. As the water entered, the copper bowl would gradually begin to sink. The time it took for the entire bowl to submerge was considered one danda (24 minutes).

In this manner, the duration of a danda was measured by observing the sinking of the bowl, and Sandhi Puja was conducted accordingly. In some families, the completion of one danda was announced by firing a cannon or shooting into the air once the bowl sank. Even if cannons are no longer fired or shots are not used, some families still use a 'Tanbi' to measure the time for Sandhi Puja.