Ayudha Puja is an important regional festival in Uttar Pradesh during which People pray and make offering in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on"><st1laceType w:st="on">temple</st1laceType> of <st1laceName w:st="on">Ram</st1laceName></st1lace> and Sita. Ayudha is the place of birth of Lord Ram. The Puja celebrates the victory of Lord Ram over the evil king Ravan. The importance of the Puja lies in the victory of good over evil. During this occasion people in Uttar Pradesh worship their weapons. Some devotees also worship their automobiles, cooking utensils, carpentry tools and the likes. People celebrate this occasion by distributing sweets amongst their near and dear ones. Ayudha puja has an unique role in the social fabric in Uttar Pradesh and is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in October every year.
Hi Harleen That was a great post.The festival of Ayudha Puja is of great significance in Uttar Pradesh. It signifies the victory of good over evil. Many big farmers in Uttar Pradesh own guns for their protection and status. The weapons are ritually worshipped on Ayudha Puja. Smaller farmers worship their tractors and craftsmen like carpenters or tailor worship their tools. The ritual of worshipping of tools is common in other communities too. In fact, people of Bengal worship their tools during the Vishwakarma Puja.Every one from factory workers with their machines to the Barber with his scissors has a day off I would like other ILites to share a few lines about worshipping of tools by craftsmen.
