Ayudha Puja – Significance, Origin, Legends and Celebrations

Ayudha Puja plays a very significant part in Hindu religion. It is celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri festival. The reference of this puja is found in the Mahabharat epic also.

What is Ayudh Pooja/Puja?

Ayudh Pooja means “Worship of Instruments” and falls on the 10th day of the bright half of lunar cycle of 15 days. It may fall on September or October depending upon the Hindu calendar.

It is a day of shastra puja which means worshipping instruments.

Ayudh Puja in 2022

Omilights Youtube Video on Ayudha Puja

Different Names of Ayudh Pooja

Ayudh puja is famous with different names in different parts of India as follows:

1. Telanga and Andhra Pradesh: Aayudha Pooja
2. Kerala: Ayudha Puja
3. Tamil Nadu: Ayudha Pujai
4. Mahrasthra: Khande Navami
5. Karnataka: Ayudha Puje

Though Ayudh puja t is named differently in different parts but the celebrations are more or less similar everywhere. It is celebrated on the tenth day of Navratris to celebrate the killing of the Mahishasura by the goddess Durga.

Why do we Celebrate Ayudha Pooja?

There are basically two legends associated with the celebration of Ayudha Puja as below:

1. Legend 1-Arjun got his Weapons

   One famous legend associated with Ayudha pooja is related to the Mahabharata time that says that on the Vijayadashmi day Arjuna had retrieved his weapons of war which he had hidden under the Shami tree before going on forced exile.

   After winning Kurukshetra war, Pandavas returned on Vijayadashmi day. Due to this reason also Vijayadashmi is considered very auspicious to begin a new venture. People buy many new things and start a new venture on this day.

2. Legend 2-Arjun Son Irana Human Sacrifice

   One more legend associated with Ayudha Pooja is offering human sacrifice as a part of this celebration. This practice of human sacrifice is no longer prevalent now, and if required sacrifice of sheep or buffalo is done.

   In the Tamil version of Mahabharata epic, Duryodhana was advised by Sahadeva who was a renowned astrologer that human sacrifice has to be performed before the Mahabharata battle begins if he wanted to get the desired results. Also, the best time for this to perform was as “Kalapalli” to be amavasya day.

   For this, they persuaded “Irana or Aravan” the son of Arjuna for the sacrifice. Knowing this Krishana persuaded Irana to be the representative of both Pandavas and Kauravas.

   Krishana also advised Yudhistara who was the eldest of Pandavas to offer Aravan to the goddess Kali as a part of Ayudh Puja. To this, Aravan was sacrificed and offered to goddess Kali. After the sacrifice, Kali blessed the Pandavas to get victory in the Mahabharata war.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Ayudh Pooja/Puja?
Ans: Ayudha Puja is also known as Astra puja. Astra means instruments/tools. It is celebrated on the ninth day of Navratri every year and date keeps on changing according to Hindu calendar.

Q: Is Saraswati and Ayudh puja same?
Ans: As part of the Golu festival, Saraswati puja is celebrated as Ayudh puja.

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