sandhyas

Sandhyas, in Hindu practice, refer to ritual periods of daily prayers performed at the junctions of day and night, most notably at dawn and dusk. The term comes from the Sanskrit sandhā, meaning “junction” or “twilight.” In many traditions, sandhyā is treated as a daily duty, especially for dvija (twice-born) communities, though the exact custom varies by lineage and region. Some communities also observe a noon (madhyahna) sandhyā, while others practice only the two twilight periods.

Practices during sandhyā typically involve purification rites, the recitation of Vedic mantras, and offerings associated with sacred fire and water. A central feature is the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra or other Vedic hymns, with prayers that honor the sun, sages, and the creator. The ritual is often performed with prescribed postures and, in many lineages, accompanied by the wearing of the sacred thread (yajnopavita) and a brief invocation to the presiding deity. The exact mantras and sequence vary across Smarta, Advaita, and Vaishnava lineages; some traditions emphasize the fire rite while others focus more on mantra recitation.

Historically, sandhyā is described in Vedic and Dharmashastra literature, including the Grhyasutras and Smritis, as part of the day’s spiritual duties for initiates. In contemporary practice, sandhyā is observed in homes, temples, or ashrams, sometimes in a simplified form, and remains a marker of daily discipline and continuity with Vedic tradition.