MontyGilyard431 at 20:48, 4 February 2026

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{{Short description|Hindu observance}}
{{infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Ayudha Puja
| image = Durga Puja DS.jpg
| caption = [[Murti]] of the goddess Durga, venerated on Ayudha Pooja
| nickname = Ayudha Puja also observed as Saraswathi Puja
| observedby = [[Hindu]]s
| begins = The Navami (ninth) day of [[Navaratri]]
| ends =
| date2019 = 7 October
| date2018 = 18 October
| date2017 = 29 September
| date2016 = 10 October<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.festivalsofindia.in/Ayudha-Puja/index.aspx |title=Ayudha Puja Celebration 2017, Significance of Ayudha Festival |access-date=2016-09-29 |archive-date=2017-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204054338/http://www.festivalsofindia.in/Ayudha-Puja/index.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| date2015 = 21 October
| date2014 = 2-10-2014
| date2012 = 23-10-2012
| date2013 = 13-10-2013
| celebrations = Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja
| observances = Veneration of implements, machines, weapons, books, and musical instruments
| relatedto = [[Navaratri]], [[Golu (festive)|Golu]]
| frequency = Annual
| type = Religious
| date2023 = 23 October 2023
| date2024 = 11 October 2024
| date2025 = 1 October 2025

}}
[[File:Swaraswatialtar.jpg|thumb|right|255px|[[Vasant Panchami|Saraswati Puja]] (goddess of wisdom & learning) is also performed concurrent with Ayudha Puje. Books and drums are kept for her blessings.]]
'''Ayudha Puja''' ({{Langx|sa|आयुध पूजा|lit=worship of tools|translit=Āyudha Pūjā}}) is a [[Hindus|Hindu]] observance that falls on the ninth day of the bright half of the moon's cycle of 15 days (as per the [[Hindu calendar]]) in the month of September/October, popularly a part of the [[Navaratri]] festival.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=87k0AwAAQBAJ&dq=ayudha+puja+worship+of+tools&pg=PT230 |title=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths |date=2014-04-18 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-396-7 |pages=230 |language=en}}</ref> While the Navaratri festival is observed all over the country, the festivity that is widely marked as Ayudha Puja possesses slight variations of veneration and practices across India.<ref name=Kittel>{{Cite book|last=Kittel|first=F|title= Kannada English Dictionary|work=Ayudhapuja|page=162|access-date=2009-09-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HBUsaxC61mkC&q=Ayudha+Puje&pg=RA1-PA162|publisher= Asian Educational Services|year=1999|isbn=978-81-206-0049-2}}</ref><ref name=Ishwaran>{{Cite book|last=Ishwaran|first= Karigoudar|title= International studies in sociology and social anthropology, Volume 47|work=Foot note 2 by Alan Reals|page=206|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4K03AAAAIAAJ&q=Ayudhapuja&pg=PA206|publisher= Brill Archive|year=1963|quote=The Ayudhapuja is a festival that occurs some times in the months of September/October every year in the Karnataka State, to celebrate an episode from the Mahabharata, in which the exiled Pandavas worship their weapons. It is now celebrated by all as worship of whatever tools or material they use to eke out their livelihood}}</ref>

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.<ref name=Ziegenbalg>{{Cite book|last= Ziegenbalg|first= Bartholomaeus|title= Genealogy of the South-Indian gods: a manual of the mythology and religion ...|pages=208|work=Ayud Puja=100, 106|access-date=2009-09-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EXsOAAAAQAAJ&q=Ayudha+Puja|publisher= Higginbotham|year=1869}}</ref> On this occasion, the implements employed by people of various professions and walks of life are customarily venerated, such as the weapons of a soldier, tools of an artisan, and the books of a student. The religious significance of this occasion is to commemorate the victory of the goddess [[Durga]] over [[Mahishasura]], or the conquest of [[Lanka]] by [[Rama]].<ref name=Ishwaran/> In [[South India]], the occasion is primarily dedicated to Saraswati, with the practice of educational materials such as books, pens, pencils, musical instruments, and other equipment being venerated, to signify the victory of knowledge over ignorance.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pechilis |first1=Karen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kaubzRxh-U0C&dq=ninth+ayudha+puja&pg=PA56 |title=South Asian Religions: Tradition and Today |last2=Raj |first2=Selva J. |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-44851-2 |pages=56 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kamath |first=Rina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bw2vDg2fTrMC&dq=ayudha+puja+saraswati&pg=PA104 |title=Chennai |date=September 2000 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-1378-5 |pages=104 |language=en}}</ref>

In the contemporary era, the tradition of this occasion is retained by the consecration of computers, typewriters, and mobile phones in the same manner as practiced in the past for weapons of warfare.<ref name=Saraswati>{{Cite book|last=Saraswati|first=T.S|title= Cross-cultural perspectives in human development: theory, research, and ...|work=Ayudpuja: Individualism in a collectivist culture|page=194|access-date=2009-09-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0CQMm5lVTREC&q=Ayudhapuja&pg=PA194|publisher= Sage|year= 2003|isbn=978-0-7619-9769-6}}</ref><ref name=Dodiya>{{Cite book|last=Dodiya|first= Jaydipsinh|title= Indian English poetry: critical perspectives|page=103|access-date=2009-09-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7fsLY0b5aJAC&q=Ayudhapuja&pg=PA103|publisher= Sarup & Sons|year= 2000|isbn= 978-81-7625-111-2}}</ref> In Orissa, tools traditionally used for cultivation like plough, war like sword and dagger, and inscription writing like "karani" or "lekhani" (metal [[stylus]]) are worshipped.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kanungo|first1=Panchanan|title=Sanskruti Baibhaba|date=2014|location=Bhubaneswar}}</ref>

== Nomenclature ==
It is celebrated in Karnataka (in erstwhile Mysore State) as “Ayudha Puje” (Kannada: ಆಯುಧ ಪೂಜೆ).[[Tamil Nadu]] as Ayudha Pujai ({{langx|ta|ஆயுத பூஜை}}), in [[Telangana]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]] as Aayudha Pooja ({{langx|te|ఆయుధ పూజ}}), in [[Kerala]] as Ayudha Puja ({{langx|ml|ആയുധ പൂജ}}), "Astra Puja" ({{langx|or|ଅସ୍ତ୍ର ପୂଜା}}) or "Ayudha Puja" in [[Orissa, India|Odisha]], "Shastra Puja" ({{langx|mr|आयुध पूजा/ खंडे नवमी}}) or "Ayudha Puja/ Khande Navami" in [[Maharashtra, India|Maharashtra]], and in [[Karnataka]] (in the erstwhile [[Mysore State]]) as “Ayudha Puje” ({{langx|kn|ಆಯುಧ ಪೂಜೆ}}).

==Legend==
Two Hindu legends relate to this festival. The popular legend which was also practiced symbolically by the Maharajas of Mysore alludes to one legend. It is said that on [[Vijayadashami]] day [[Arjuna]], third of the five [[Pandava]] brothers, retrieved his weapons of war from the hole in the [[Prosopis cineraria|shami]] tree where he had hidden it before proceeding on the forced exile. After completing his vanavasa (exile period) of 13 years, including one year of ''Agyatavas'' (living incognito) before embarking on the warpath against the [[Kaurava]]s he retrieved his weapons. In the [[Kurukshetra war]] that ensued, Arjuna was victorious. Pandavas returned on Vijayadashami day and since then it is believed that this day is auspicious to begin any new venture. In Karnataka, Ayudha Puja is celebrated by the general public one day before the original festival day Vijayadashami (the Ayudha Puja Day).<ref name=Kamat>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/festive/ayudha/|title=Ayudha Puja or Worship of Tools|access-date=2009-09-18| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091003103406/http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/festive/ayudha/| archive-date= 3 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Another legend is of a pre-battle ritual involving [[yagna]] or ritual sacrifice or as part of the Ayudha Puja (considered a sub-rite of Navaratri festival that starts after the rainy season and is propitiated before launching military campaigns). This practice is no more prevalent. The past practice is narrated in the Tamil version of [[Mahabharata]] epic. In this ritual, prevalent than in Tamil Nadu, ‘Kalapalli’ was a “sacrifice to the battlefield. [[Duryodhana]], the [[Kaurava]] chief was advised by astrologer ([[Sahadeva]]) that the propitious time for performing Kalapalli was on [[amavasya]] day (new moon day), one day before the start of [[Kurukshetra war]] and [[Iravan]] (son of Arjuna), also spelt Aravan, had agreed to be the victim for the sacrifice. But [[Krishna]], the benefactor of [[Pandava]]s smelt trouble and he devised a plan to persuade Iravan to be the representative of the Pandavas and also of the Kauravas. Krishna had suggested to [[Yudhishthira]]-the eldest of the Pandavas, to sacrifice Aravan to goddess Kali as a part of Ayudha Puja. After this sacrifice, [[Kali]] had blessed Pandavas for victory in the Kurukshetra war.

==Mode of veneration==
[[File:Ayudha Pooja.jpg|thumb|right|Veneration of vehicles as part of Ayudha Puja]]
[[File:CLA200 CDI.jpg|thumb|An imported car decorated for the Puja]]
The tools and all implements of vocation are first cleaned. All the tools, machines, vehicles and other devices are then painted or well polished after which they are smeared with [[turmeric]] paste, [[sandalwood]] paste (in the form of a [[tilak]]am (insignia or mark) and [[kumkum]]am (vermillion). Then, in the evening, previous to the puja day, they are placed on an earmarked platform and decorated with flowers. In the case of weapons of war, they are also cleaned, bedecked with flowers and tilak and placed in a line, adjacent to a wall. On the morning of the puja that is on the Navami day, they are all worshipped along with the images of [[Saraswati]], [[Lakshmi]], and [[Parvati]]. Books and musical instruments are also placed on the pedestal for veneration. On the day of the puja, these are not to be disturbed. The day is spent in veneration and contemplation.<ref name =Misra>{{Cite book|last=Misra|first= Promode Kumar|title= Cultural profiles of Mysore City|work=Ayudha Puja|page=106|access-date=2009-09-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xLsLAAAAIAAJ&q=Ayudha+Puja|publisher= Anthropological Survey of India, Govt. of India|year= 1978}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archives.amritapuri.org/bharat/festival/navaratri.php|title=Ayudha Puja|access-date=2009-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811175042/http://archives.amritapuri.org/bharat/festival/navaratri.php|archive-date=2011-08-11|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Regional traditions==
===Karnataka===
In [[Karnataka]], the erstwhile [[Mysore state]] of the Maharajas of Mysore, the ancient Navaratri festival started as a family tradition within the precincts of the palace. The royal family performs the Ayudha Pooja as a part of the Navaratri, inside the palace grounds. The rituals observed are first to venerate the weapons on the Mahanavami day (ninth day), followed by “Kushmanda” (pumpkin in Sanskrit)– the tradition of breaking a pumpkin in the palace grounds. After this, weapons are carried in a golden [[palanquin]] to the Bhuvaneshwari temple for veneration. The tradition of the festival is traced to the [[Vijayanagara Empire]] (1336 A.D. to 1565 A.D.) when it became a Naada Habba (or people's festival). Raja Wodeyar I (1578–1617) who was viceroy to the Vijayanagara ruler, with his seat of power in Mysore, reintroduced the Vijayanagara practice of celebrating the Navaratri festival, in 1610 A.D. He set rules on how to celebrate the Navaratri with devotion and grandeur. After a gala nine days of [[Durbar (court)|durbar]], the Maharaja performs a puja in a temple in the palace precincts, which is followed by a grand procession through the main thoroughfares of the [[Mysore city]] to the Bannimantap on a caparisoned elephant. The Bannimantap is the place where the Maharaja worships the traditional [[Prosopis cineraria|Shami]] or Banni Tree ([[Prosopis spicigera]]); the legend of this tree is traced to the Mahabharat legend of Arjuna (where he had hidden his weapons of war). The significance of the Shami tree veneration is to seek blessings of the tree (where [[Rama]] is also said to have worshipped) for success in the desired avocations (including war campaigns).<ref name=news>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2007/10/20/wadiyar-performs-ayudha-pooja-inside-courtyard-of-mysore-palace-1192887326.html|title= Wadiyar performs Ayudha Pooja in Mysore Palace|date= 20 October 2007|access-date=2009-09-18|publisher= news.oneindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/festivals/navaratri/dasera.php|title=Vijayadashmi: The triumph of righteousness|access-date=2009-09-18|archive-date=2014-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214121934/http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/festivals/navaratri/dasera.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.flonnet.com/fl2221/stories/20051021005611300.htm |title=A historic festival |access-date=2009-09-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716044238/http://www.flonnet.com/fl2221/stories/20051021005611300.htm |archive-date=2007-07-16 }}</ref> This festival is also celebrated with lot of fanfare throughout the state, in all villages. In the rural areas, every village and community observe this festival with fervour but there have been conflicts on several occasions as to which community has the first right to perform the Pujas. Generally, the Ayudha puja in villages begins with the sacrifice of sheep and smearing the bullock carts with sheep blood.<ref name=conflict>{{Cite book|title=Beals |work=Ayudha Puja Incident|year=1966|pages=117–124|access-date=2009-09-18|
url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ty-sAAAAIAAJ&q=Ayudha+Puja&pg=PA117|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-0302-4}}</ref><ref name =Srinivas>{{cite book|last=Srinivas |work=Ayudha Puja|pages =139, 140|access-date=2009-09-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6vY9AAAAYAAJ&q=Ayudha+Puja|publisher=West Bengal Govt. Press|year=1955 | title=India's villages: a collection of articles originally published in the Economic weekly of Bombay}}</ref>

===Kerala===
In [[Kerala]], the festival is called Ayudha Puja or [[Saraswati Puja]] as part of the ten-day puja ceremonies, also named as the festival of [[September equinox|autumnal equinox]] that is observed three weeks from the date of the [[equinox]]. The practice followed in the veneration on two days involves the opening day, which is called ''Pujaveppu'' (meaning: keeping implements for veneration). The closing day festival is called ''Pujayeduppu'' (meaning: taking implements back from veneration). On the ''Pujaveppu'' day, all tools, machines, and instruments, including vehicles, musical instruments, stationery and all implements that help one earn the livelihood, are worshipped. On the closing day, these are taken back for re-use.<ref name="DeccanChronicle">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-specials-festival-navratri-rituals-golu-saraswati-puja-vidyarambham/20131005.htm#4|title=Navratri rituals: Golu, Saraswati puja, Vidyarambham... : 4 |publisher=The Deccan Chronicle |date=2013-10-05 |access-date=2013-10-16}}</ref><ref name=Logan>{{Cite book|last= Logan|first= William|title= Malabar manual |work=Ayudh Puja|page=162|access-date=2009-09-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9mR2QXrVEJIC&q=Ayudhapuja&pg=PA162|publisher= Asian Educational Services|year=2000|isbn=978-81-206-0446-9}}</ref> In villages in Kerala, the Ayudha puja is observed with great reverence and several martial art forms and folk dances are also performed on that day.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}}

===Tamil Nadu===
In [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Golu (festive)|golu]] is the festival celebrated during the [[Navratri|Navaratri]] period. On this occasion dolls, predominantly that of the deities from Hinduism, are artistically arranged on a seven-stepped wooden platform. Traditionally, 'marapachi' wooden dolls representing [[Perumal]] and [[Ranganayaki|Thayar]] are also displayed together at a dominant location on the top step of the platform erected specially for the occasion. On the ninth day (Navami day), Saraswati puja is performed when special prayers are offered to the goddess Saraswati. Books and musical instruments are placed in the puja pedestal and worshipped. Tools are placed for the Ayudha puja. Vehicles are washed and decorated, and puja performed for them on this occasion. This is followed by the Vijayadashami celebrations at the culmination of the ten-day festivities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uni5.co/index.php/en/vedic-festivals/golu.html|title=Golu or Bommai Kolu|access-date=2009-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pudukkottai.org/archieve/navarathri/page_04.htm |title=Ayudha pooja 2003 |access-date=2009-09-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107051123/http://www.pudukkottai.org/archieve/navarathri/page_04.htm |archive-date=2009-01-07 }}</ref>

=== Maharashtra ===
In Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated as Ayudha Puja/Shastra Puja, Vijayadashami, Navaratri and Saraswati Puja. All weapons, vehicles, agricultural equipment, machines and metal items are worshipped with leaves of the shami tree (Marathi: आपट्याची पाने/सोने), marigold flowers and the 'dhaan' that is grown during 9 days of Navaratri. Marigold flowers have a special significance on Navaratri day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/thane-kokan-news/navi-mumbai/marigold-flower-prices-shoot-up-on-dussehra-eve/articleshow/66265300.cms|title=marigold-flower-prices-shoot-up-on-dussehra|work=Maharashtra Times|archive-date=2019-09-05|access-date=2018-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905170156/https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/thane-kokan-news/navi-mumbai/marigold-flower-prices-shoot-up-on-dussehra-eve/articleshow/66265300.cms|url-status=dead}}</ref> Saraswati Puja is performed and books, musical instruments, etc. are worshiped alongside the goddess. People perform a ritual called Simollanghan, crossing boundary of the village and collect leaves of the apta tree. The leaves signify gold. People visit each other's homes in the evening and distribute the gold (leaves) as a mark of love and respect.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tarunbharat.com/news/628266|title=सीमोल्लंघन! - तरुण भारत|date=2018-10-17|work=तरुण भारत|access-date=2018-10-18|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905164650/https://www.tarunbharat.com/news/628266|url-status=dead}}</ref> Royal Navaratri celebrations take place at various places like Kolhapur.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/kolhapur-western-maharashtra-news/kolhapur/shahi-dasara-in-dasara-chowk/articleshow/66266447.cms|title=Royal Dasara:Kolhapur|work=Maharashtra Times|archive-date=2019-09-05|access-date=2018-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905171705/https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/kolhapur-western-maharashtra-news/kolhapur/shahi-dasara-in-dasara-chowk/articleshow/66266447.cms|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{anl|Kullu Dussehra}}
* {{anl|Saraswati}}
* {{anl|Vidyarambham}}
* {{anl|Vijayadashami}}

==References==
{{Reflist|33em}}

{{HinduFestivals}}

[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:September observances]]
[[Category:October observances]]

Ayudha Puja - Revision history

MontyGilyard431 at 20:48, 4 February 2026