Ayudha Puja, also known as Astra Puja or Shastra Puja, refers to the worship of weapons. It is an important Hindu ritual observed during the festival of Navratri. This unique tradition involves the worship of tools, instruments, and weapons, symbolising the divine power of Goddess Durga and the significance of work and craftsmanship. Ayudha Puja is done on Navami Tithi during Navratri. Most of the time, it falls on Maha Navami during Navratri.

Ayudha Puja falls on the ninth day of the bright half of the moon's cycle of 15 days, which corresponds to the month of September/October in the Gregorian calendar. It particularly on the ninth day of the Durga Puja festivities, also known as Maha Navami. Ayudha Puja 2024 falls on Saturday, October 12. The tradition is popular in southern parts of India, especially in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.

Ayudha Puja 2024 Date and Ayudha Puja Muhurat

Ayudha Puja 2024 will be celebrated on Saturday, October 12. The Ayudha Puja Vijaya Muhurat is from 02:22 PM to 03:09 PM. The Navami 2024 tithi begins at 12:06 PM on October 11 and ends at 10:58 AM on October 12.

Ayudha Puja Significance

On Ayudha Puja, people worship the tools of their profession, whether they are weapons, machines, musical instruments, books, or farming tools. The principal goddesses worshipped during the Ayudha Puja are Saraswati, the goddess of learning, Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Parvati, the goddess of power. The religious significance of this occasion is to commemorate the victory of the goddess Durga over Mahishasura, or the conquest of Lanka by Rama.

On this day, weapons, swords, and even vehicles are cleaned, decorated, and placed on altars for the puja. In South India, the auspicious day is marked in honour of Goddess Saraswati, where people worship educational materials such as books, pens, pencils, musical instruments, and other equipment to signify the victory of knowledge over ignorance. This practice is seen as a way of seeking the blessings of the Goddess for success, protection, and prosperity in one’s work.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2024 01:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).