Trikal Sandhya

Trikal Sandhya consists of recitation of mantras from the Vedas. Tirkal means three times’. Sandhya means meeting points of day & night and forenoon & afternoon. Trikal Sandhya is also called Sandhyopasana. This is a process of expressing gratitude to nature and formless almighty. Gratitude develops positivity which helps in fulfilling desire and in eradicating grief. 
 
Trikal Sandhya is mandatory for those who are being initiated through the sacred thread ceremony referred to as the Upanayanam by qualified Guru.
 
Timings of Trikal Sandhya

1. In morning – It should be done before sunrise, when nakshatra are visible. This is best time. If it is done before sunrise but nakshatra are not visible, it medium grade. If it done after sunrise, it is low grade.
2. In midday – It should be done ten minutes before 12 noon.
3. In evening – it should be done ten minutes before sunset. 

 
Purpose of Trikal Sandhya

1. Stability of mind comes by doing Trikal Sandhya (three times worship) regularly.
2. Tirkal Sandhya destroys the sins done unknowingly.

 
Stages of Trikal Sandhya
The stages of Trikal Sandhya include Achamana, Anga Vandana, Ganapati Dhyana, Argya Pradhan, Pranayam, Prayaschitha Argyam, dhyana and Gayatri japa. (Mantras are prescribed at stage which should be learnt from qualified Guru)

1. Sit facing east, north-east or north. Wear basil, Rudraksha etc. beads. 
2. External purification (Marjan) - Sprinkle water of the self by chanting the mantra.
3. Purifying sitting mat - Drop water after chanting the mantra.
4. Achamana – Sipping water three times and taking the names of Narayana.
5. Cleaning of hands and chanting the mantra.
6. In both the ring fingers, wear “pavitri”. Chant the Gayatri Mantra, tie the “choti” and apply tilak on forehead.
7. Resolve (Sankalp) – Make resolution to do Trikal Sandhya.
8. Pranayama (Anulom-Vlom, breathing exercise) – Internal purification is done by Pranayama three times and chanting the mantra. During inhalation is done by meditating on Vishnu ji at naval center. During holding of breath is done by meditating on Brahma ji at heart center. During exhalation is done by meditating on Shiv ji at forehead.
9. Surya-Upasthanam – Approaching self to Sun and worshipping by the mantra.
10. Mantra Proksanam – A prayer for forgiveness of sins.
11. Gayatri invocation by chanting the mantra.
12. Nyasa – It involves a series of touches in specific locations on the body.
13. Mudras – Mudra is a symbolic gesture which involves the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers. 24 mudras are performed.
14. Gayatri-Upasthanam - Approaching self to the deities and worshipping by the mantra. After this, again nyasa and eight mudras.
15. Abhivadana is a salutary introduction offered to all deities. It usually follows a prostration to the deities in each direction.