Ayudha Puja 2024: Date, shubh muhurat, rituals, history and significance of Shashtra Puja

Updated on: Oct 12, 2024, 12:06:57 IST

By Akanksha Agnihotri, New Delhi

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On Ayudha Puja, devotees worship tools and equipment. (Canva)

Ayudha Puja is a significant festival during Maha Navratri, mainly in South India. On this day, devotees worship tools and weapons. Check all details inside.

Ayudha Puja, also referred to as Shashtra Puja or Astra Puja, is a significant festival observed during Maha Navratri, especially in South India. On this day, people worship the tools and equipment they use in their daily lives. The celebration takes place on the ninth day, or Navami Tithi, of Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashwina, coinciding with Navratri. From date to history, scroll down to know more about this auspicious occasion. (Also read: Happy Durga Ashtami 2024: Top 30 wishes, images, greetings, SMS, WhatsApp and Facebook status to share with loved ones )

Ayudha Puja 2024 Date and Timing

According to Drik Panchang, this year, the significant festival of Ayudha Puja will be observed on Saturday, October 12. The auspicious timings to observe the occasion are as follows:

Ayudha Puja Vijaya Muhurat - 2:03 PM to 2:49 PM

Duration - 00 hours 46 minutes

Navami Tithi Begins - 12:06 PM on October 11, 2024

Navami Tithi Ends - 10:58 AM on October 12, 2024

Ayudha Puja 2024 Significance

Ayudha Puja is a significant day for performing Shastra Puja, celebrated widely across India, particularly in South Indian states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. On this auspicious occasion, devotees express gratitude by worshipping their weapons, tools, and equipment used in daily life. Many also offer prayers to their books, as they are seen as instruments of knowledge and earning, symbolising personal "shastras."

Ayudha Puja 2024 History

According to legend, Ayudha Puja is linked to the epic battle between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura, who had taken the form of a buffalo. After a fierce nine-day struggle that culminated on the eve of Navami, Durga triumphed over Mahishasura using the powers and weapons bestowed upon her by the gods. The Ayudha Puja ritual serves as an act of reverence for the weapons and tools she employed in this legendary conflict.

Ayudha Puja 2024 Rituals

During Ayudha Puja, people engage in several rituals, starting with cleaning their homes and purifying tools and weapons. They perform the puja by applying haldi (turmeric), kumkum (vermilion), and sandalwood paste to the objects. On this auspicious day, books, accounting materials, and even vehicles are also worshipped. People place a tilak on their equipment, offer flowers, chant Vedic mantras, and seek blessings for prosperity and protection.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Akanksha Agnihotri
Akanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist with over 3 years of experience. She is a psychology graduate and holds a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, where she graduated as a gold medalist. Originally from Bhopal, the beautiful capital of Madhya Pradesh, she draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage and layered storytelling traditions that subtly shape her narrative voice. She writes extensively about fashion, beauty, health, relationships, culture, and food, exploring everything from trending styles and runway moments to wellness routines and mindful living. Passionate about meaningful and candid conversations, she enjoys interviewing celebrities, doctors, designers, and film personalities, diving into discussions on fitness, beauty, mental health, and everything fun in between. With a keen eye for trends and a thoughtful understanding of human behaviour, she brings depth, sensitivity, and authenticity to her stories, ensuring they resonate with a wide and diverse audience. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her lost in a book, planning her next mountain trek, or mapping out spontaneous travel escapes. She loves discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and spending quiet afternoons in museums soaking in art, history, and culture. An avid bird-watching enthusiast, she finds joy in early morning walks, spotting rare birds, and reconnecting with nature. Whether sipping coffee while journaling her thoughts or exploring hidden corners of a new city, she constantly seeks inspiration in everyday moments that often turn into compelling story ideas.Read More

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