Ayudha Puja 2025: Date and Timing, Rituals and Importance

Ayudha Pooja is a Hindu festival that revolves around the belief that work is worship. Also called Shastra Pooja or Astra Pooja, it honors the tools and implements we use in our daily life and professional work. In 2025, Ayudha Pooja will fall on October 1 (Wednesday), coinciding with Maha Navami, the 9th day of the Navratri festival.

This day is very important in southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala. Every object that defines livelihood is worshipped by people for prosperity, safety, and success.

 The festival has its roots in epics like the Mahabharata and is associated with the victory of goddess Durga over the demon, Mahishasura. It is also linked to festivals like Durga Pooja, Saraswati Pooja, and Dussehra, which all occur around the same time.

 Legends behind Ayudha Pooja

 Arjuna and his Weapons: In the Mahabharata, the Pandava prince, Arjuna, hid his weapons in a Shami tree during the Pandavas’ exile. After the exile ended on the day of Vijayadashami, he retrieved them. Before going to battle against the Kauravas, he offered worship to them and achieved victory. This later evolved into the observance of Ayudha Pooja.

 Durga Slays Mahishasura: As per the Navratri legend, Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura. After her victory, she laid down her weapons, which were then worshipped by the gods. This led to the practice of worshipping tools and weapons.

 Kalapalli Ritual of Tamils: A little-known story talks about Iravan’s (Arjuna’s son) sacrifice before the Kurukshetra war for achieving victory. Ayudha Pooja was part of the yagna. People honoured weapons and invoked divine blessings before doing battle.

 Eventually, Ayudha Pooja evolved from the worship of weapons to a broader and symbolic celebration of all tools and implements used in one’s work or education. 

Ayudha Pooja in Karnataka 

The Mysore Wodeyars, who were the rulers of Mysore,  turned Ayudha Pooja into a royal tradition during their Navaratri festivities. Weapons were sanctified before going to war, thereby continuing the legacy of the Vijayanagara Empire. 

Ayudha Pooja Date and Timing

∙ Date of Celebration: Wednesday, 1st October 2025

∙ Tithi Timing: Navami Tithi begins at 6:06 PM on 30 September and ends at 7:01 PM on 1 October

∙ Ayudha Pooja Vijaya Muhurat: 2:28 PM to 3:16 PM 

Significance of Ayudha Pooja

Ayudha Pooja, which falls on the 9th day (Maha Navami) of Navratri, is rich in meaning. It acknowledges the importance of work and honors the tools that enable us to earn a living and enhance our learning. By worshipping the tools, we not only express gratitude but also acknowledge that work is indeed worship.

 The festival has special significance in Indian culture due to the following reasons: 

∙ Work is worship: If work is worship, work tools are symbols of divine energy that help us to excel in our work. Hence, people honor and express gratitude to their work tools.

∙ Triumph of good over evil: The festival celebrates Goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura and Arjuna’s retrieval of his weapons to defeat the Kauravas.

∙ Value of Labor: The festival teaches us to appreciate skill, labor, and craftsmanship. 

Different Types of Ayudha Pooja

Ayudha Pooja celebrations may differ, depending on region, community, and profession. Let us see what are the different types of Ayudha Pooja:

 Weapon Worship (Shastra Pooja)

This practice is prevalent in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. People worship swords, shields, bows, and spears. They can be historical or ceremonial. The celebrants are royal families, martial art communities, and devotees who celebrate epic legends.

A unique ritual is the worship of the Shami tree for its connection to Arjuna. 

Ayudha Pooja at the Office/Workplace

This is common all over India, especially in industrial areas. During the Pooja, people may worship computers, machinery, vehicles, tools, calculators, books, and musical instruments. The celebrants include office staff, engineers, mechanics, artists, musicians, and IT employees. Offices may be closed or partially operational, and workers decorate tools with turmeric, vermilion, and garlands. 

Ayudha Pooja at Home

Families in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana observe the Pooja at home. They worship books, kitchen utensils, sewing machines, musical instruments, vehicles, etc. Children keep their texts, notebooks, pens, and pencils for worship before Saraswati’s idol. They do not study, read, or write on this day. 

Vahana (Vehicle) Pooja

In urban and semi-urban areas of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, people perform Vahana Pooja. They worship the vehicles they use for personal (cars, bikes, scoooters) and work-related needs (taxis, trucks, and buses). The celebrants include drivers, delivery personnel, logistics workers, and other vehicle owners. Vehicle owners wash their vehicles, decorate them with banana leaves and marigolds, and apply turmeric-kumkum tilaks on them. 

Agricultural Tool Pooja

This Pooja is common in rural areas of Odisha, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. People worship plows, sickles, irrigation tools, and cattle carts. The celebrants are farmers and agricultural laborers. In some villages, oxen are decorated and given special food. 

Saraswati Pooja as Ayudha Pooja

This is prevalent in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. People worship books, pens, musical instruments, and educational tools. The celebrants are students, artists, and teachers. The ritual of keeping books for the Pooja before the idol of Saraswati is called “Poojaveppu,” while that of removing the books after the Pooja is called “Poojayeduppu.”  Nobody touches the books and other study materials until the next day, which is Vijayadashami. 

Rituals of Ayudha Pooja

Let us see what are the rituals of Ayudha Pooja:

 Preparing for the Pooja

Cleaning and polishing of tools, machines, books, and vehicles.

Decorating the tools with turmeric, kumkum, sandalwood paste, marigold flowers, mango leaves, and banana stems.

Arranging the tools neatly on an altar or pedestal, along with photos or idols of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati.

Maha Navami (Main Day) Rituals

Devotees bathe and wear clean clothes.

The Pooja area is decorated and set up with images of deities, especially of Goddess Saraswati (for learning), Goddess Lakshmi (for wealth), and Goddess Durga or Parvati (for power).

Offerings

• Coconut
• Betel leaves and nuts
• Fruits and sweets
• Incense sticks and diyas
• Food offerings like payasam, vadai, or sundal 

Performing the Pooja

 Devotees perform Aarti.

They do not use or touch the tools all day.

People worship vehicles by placing lemons under the tires and bursting them. They believe that this removes negativity. 

Worship of Books & Instruments

In South India, students keep their notebooks, pens, and instruments before the idol of Saraswati. On this day, they avoid studying. They believe that the goddess blesses their tools and bestows success in academics. 

Vahana (Vehicle) Pooja

Devotees wash and decorate their vehicles. They place a garland across the front and apply kumkum and turmeric to the wheels or dashboards. They also keep lemons under the tires and crush them to ward off evil.

 Conclusion

Ayudha Pooja is no mere ritual. It’s a tribute to all the tools that aid us in our daily lives, whether it’s a laptop or a plow. Ayudha Pooja reminds us of the important role work plays in our lives. Work gives us a purpose in life and a means to fulfil our desires. It gives us respect in society and an identity. The tools we use as part of our work form the conduit through which divine grace flows into our efforts, enabling us to excel in what we do. It is for this reason that we celebrate Ayudha Pooja by expressing reverence and gratitude to our tools.

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