Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Mangaluru, Oct 14: Ayudha Puja was offered in the city with religious fervour and gaiety on Thursday October 14.

On the day of Ayudha Puja, two wheelers, four wheelers and all other kinds of vehicles and electronic components including computers, and cameras, and agricultural tools, virtually everything that one uses to earn one's livelihood are blessed.

A day prior, devotees cleaned their machinery, vehicles, equipment and tools, and painted and decorated them with flowers. This morning, priests visited various places to offer Puja. Special religious programmes and rituals were held at every temple.

It is believed that Goddess Durga after annihilating demons in the nine days set aside her weapons as an accomplishment of their use and venerated them.

As per legend, Arjuna brought down the weapons hidden in a tree by Pandavas before proceeding on their commissioned period of banishment. On completion of this period, the weapons were worshipped before use.

Ayudha Puja is observed as thanksgiving, as well as to ward off any evil that could cause harm or injury in the coming year. The day is celebrated by bursting crackers. It is also a day of rest for man and machine.