Ayudha Puja – A Grand Celebration During Durga Navratri
Posted on September 27, 2008 in Festivals by naveen
Have you ever heard of worshipping weapons? It sounds quite weird but, in India people follow their rich heritage and culture. The value of every single thing is derived in Hindu Puranas and Upanishads. The celebrations and festivals are very common in India, but the festivals during Durga Navaratri mean a lot about the Hindu traditions and ethics.
What is Ayudha Puja?
Ayudha Puja means the worship of weapons. Ayudha Puja is celebrated with a vibrant mood in some of the regions of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. On the day of Ayudha Puja, every person worship the tool or the instrument which he uses for earning his bread. The business people and workers celebrate the festival with utmost devotion.
When is Ayudha Puja?
Ayudha Puja is celebrated on the ninth day of Durga Navratri. In some regions it is celebrated on the day of Vijaya Dashami. In 2008, Ayudha Puja falls on 8th October, Wednesday.
Myth Behind Ayudha Puja – History of Ayudha Puja:
As you know Goddess Durga, in the form of Chamundeshwari has killed the demon king Mahishasura. After demolition of Mahishasura, there was no use of her weapons. Hence the weapons were worshipped by keeping them aside.
One more myth is there in puranas – Arjuna, on the Vijaya Dashami day, has withdrawn his weapons from the Vani Tree, where he had hidden them during the perios of exile. It is believed that beginning any business or study on the Vijaya Dashami makes the process successful.
Ritual of Ayudha Puja :
The people related to the fields of family professions like jewelry making and carpentry etc. take their tools or instruments aside on the day and worship them. They believe that worshipping of tools is very much equal to the worshipping of the God.
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