Ayudha Pooja – The Festival For Weapons & Vehicles

by Astro Ved Online Astrology Consultation

Ayudha Pooja is a significant part of the 9-day grand festival Navaratri or Dussehra, celebrated during the month of Sep-Oct. ‘Ayudha’ means weapons, and Ayudha Pooja denotes the worship and rituals performed for the weapons, arms, ammunition, and even vehicles. Known as Ayudha Poojai in Tamil Nadu, Astra Pooja in Orissa, Shastra Pooja or Khande Navami in Maharashtra, and Ayudha Pooje in Karnataka, it is observed on the 9th day of Navaratri, which is followed by Vijayadasami, the grand day of victory.

Vijayadasami is the grand 10th day when Goddess Durga destroyed the buffalo demon, Mahisha, marking the victory of good over evil. As per the scriptures, it is said that her weapons, vehicles, arms, etc. Which were to be taken for the war were worshipped on the day before. There is also another legend associated with this day. Arjuna, one of the Pancha Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata, retrieved his hidden weapons under a Vani tree, after completing his 13-year exile on this day. When the Pandavas returned, they won the war against the Kauravas on the day of Vijayadasami.

Hence, this day is observed as Ayudha Pooja, a special day dedicated to the worship of weapons and arms. While Navaratri is celebrated all across India, Ayudha Pooja is particularly observed in the Southern states.

It is a common practice to clean and worship the weapons, tools (professional and domestic), and place in the sacred altar for worship. Also, people clean their vehicles like bikes, cars, lorry, truck, and any mode of transport they own and decorate it with fresh flowers and sandalwood paste. Then a coconut, pumpkin, and lemon with a dot of red vermilion powder are shown around the vehicles as a method to take away any Drishti or evil eye on the vehicle, and they are broken on the road. After the Pooja, the owner of the vehicle takes it for a ride around. It will indeed be an eye-catching sight to see the vehicles spick and span on the roads on this day.

Ayudha Pooja is celebrated with different kinds of rituals in different states of India. This day is also called as Maha Navami in northern and eastern states of India. Ayudha Pooja is also observed as Saraswati Pooja in Tamil Nadu, when Saraswati, the Goddess of arts and creativity, is worshipped. Musicians place their musical instruments in the Pooja. Students also place their books, new pens, and notebooks in the sacred altar. They are not to be touched on this day and taken for use from the next day, Vijayadasami. It is believed to be blessed by the Goddess and bring success in all endeavors undertaken on this day.

Let us connect with the Goddess on this auspicious day of Ayudha Pooja and worship our weapons, tools, and vehicles that play an important role in our daily lives and pay our gratitude to them for all-around success and happiness with the blessings of the Mother Goddess.