Ayudha Puja is an important festival celebrated in the last days of Navratri. This festival is especially celebrated in South India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala). It means - worship of weapons, tools and equipment.
It is said that in Treta Yuga, when Lord Shri Ram conquered Ravana, he worshipped his weapons. Carrying forward this tradition, this puja is performed every year on Ashtami, Navami or Vijayadashami.
Importance
- Weapons and tools are worshipped and they are considered to be endowed with divine power.
- This festival shows the importance of karma, hard work and means.
- On this day, people worship their weapons, vehicles, tools, machines and books etc.
- This festival is a part of the Navratri Puja and is directly connected to Vijayadashmi.
Puja Vidhi
- After taking bath in the morning, the house, shop and workplace are cleaned.
- Tools, vehicles, machines and books etc. are washed and decorated.
- Worship is done with flowers, coconut, roli, rice and incense sticks.
- Goddess Durga and Lord Vishnu are also worshipped along with weapons.
- The next day on Vijayadashmi, these tools and vehicles are used again.
