Ayudha Puja is one of the important festivals celebrated in the southern states of India. The festival is observed on the ninth day of Navratri. People observe it as the 'worship of tools and instruments'. This year it will be observed on 14 October 2021. To know more about this festival, scroll down the article to read more.

Navratri- Day 9: Know About Devi Siddhidatri And Maha Navami

Muhurta For Ayudha Puja

Every year Ayudha Puja is observed on the Navami tithi of Navratri. According to Drikpanchang, the timings are as follows-

Ayudha Puja on Thursday, October 14, 2021
Ayudha Puja Vijaya Muhurat - 02:02 PM to 02:48 PM
Duration - 00 Hours 46 Mins
Mysore Dasara on Friday, October 15, 2021
Navami Tithi Begins - 08:07 PM on Oct 13, 2021
Navami Tithi Ends - 06:52 PM on Oct 14, 2021

Things To Do Before Ayudha Puja

• Things To Do Before The Pooja Mark out the area where you want to perform the Pooja.
• Choose an area where the tools and objects won't be disturbed.
• Decide the tools that you want to set aside for the Pooja.
• The tools chosen are the ones that are important to you and help you in your daily life.
• A carpenter may worship the tools used by him, a musician may worship his musical instruments and a student may worship his books and pens.
• Make sure that the tools are all cleaned properly before you set them aside for the Pooja.

Things You Will Need

• Turmeric Sindoor or kumkum
• Areca nuts
• Betel leaves
• Puffed rice
• White pumpkin
• Lemons
• Bananas
• Fruits
• Sugarcane pieces
• Powdered jaggery
• Coconuts ( Small pieces and a whole one)
• Banana Leaves
• Agarbattis Camphor
• You may choose to prepare some Naivedyam too

Rituals Of Ayudha Puja

• On the eighth day of Navratri i.e., Maha Ashtami, the weapons of Goddess Durga cleaned
• On Navami tithi, the tools are then placed in front of the Goddess to gain Her blessings.
• Arrange the tools on a platform and decorate them with flowers.
• Then prepare a paste of turmeric and sandalwood.
• Using this paste, apply tilak on the tools.
• Put your books and study materials in front of the Goddess. Apply tilak on them as well and decorate with flowers.
• You can do the same with your gadgets as well as they too are worshipped on this day.
• Devotees need to ensure that the items are not disturbed while you begin the Bhajans.

Significance Of Ayudha Puja

• According to Hindu mythology, the demons once attacked the heavenly abode of Gods.
• Since Mahishasur, the King of the demons, was mighty and once cursed by some sages that he will be killed by a woman, Gods asked Goddess Parvati to slay the demon.
• Goddess Parvati agreed and this is when all the Gods combined their powers and energies to transforming Goddess Parvati into Goddess Durga, the warrior Goddess.
• Goddess Durga went on to fight against the demon army.
• As per Hindu Mythology, the mighty demon Mahishasur was defeated and killed on the ninth day of the battle.
• Devotees of Goddess Durga then worshipped along with Her weapons.
• This is when people started observing the Ayudha Puja.
• On this day, people worship all the weapons held by Goddess Durga and Her different forms.