By Nina Rai, Daijiworld Media Network
 
Mangalore, Oct 21: The traditional ‘Ayudha Pooja’ an important festival of the Hindus and a part of the nine day Dasara festival was performed with great faith and belief by devouts with religious fervour here on Saturday October 20.

In ancient times ‘Ayudha Pooja’ was performed by worshipping weapons. However in modern times weapons have been replaced with 'tools of the trade'. Hence in today people are seen worshipping automobiles, manufacturer’s machines, computers, vehicles, carpentry tools, cooking and other household articles etc.
One noticeable and noteworthy feature of the Ayudha Pooja this time around, has been that this auspicious pooja has been performed by religions cutting across religious lines. This clearly indicates the faith and belief in the divine power of the Goddess Durga in her various avatars to bless the devout. 

In the city, particularly in the Bejai and State Bank/Bunder areas one noticed the ‘Audha Pooja’ being celebrated with a great deal of religious fervour, with people busy cleaning their vehicles and anointing it with floral garlands, traditional Aarthi and breaking of lemon rinds under their vehicles to ward of evil spirits.