Ayudha Puja
falls on 3rd October 2014 (Friday) during Maha Navratri and it is
popular only in South India mainly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and
Kerala. Ayudha Puja is done on Navami Tithi during Navratri. Most of the time,
it falls on Maha Navami during Navratri. Ayudha Puja is also known as Shastra
Puja and Astra Puja.
Historically
Ayudha Puja was meant to worship weapons but in its present form all sort of
instruments are worshipped on the very same day. In South India it is a day
when craftsmen worship their tools and instruments similar to Vishwakarma Puja
in other parts of India.
In its
modern form Ayudha Puja has become Vahana Puja when people worship their vehicles
including cars, scooters, and motor bikes. During Vahana Puja all sort of
vehicles, which are in use, are decorated with vermilion, garlands, mango
leaves and banana sapling and worshipped. Most significantly during Vahana Puja
a white pumpkin is decorated with vermilion and turmeric and smashed in front
of the vehicle as a custom to get rid of all sorts of evils.
In South
India most calendars mark Saraswati Puja along with Ayudha Puja. However
according to most Dharma Shastras Saraswati Puja during Navratri is suggested
during Purva Ashadha Nakshatra
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| Rajni Performing Ayudha Puja on 3rd Oct 2014 |
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