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Tuesday 1 April 2014

Ayudha Puja Festival



Hello, friends! This is the first time, I am writing for A to Z challenge. I have selected the theme  for this 26 days of interaction with you. I'll be writing about the Festivals of India. As India  is a secular country, we celebrate all festivals,whether Hindu,Muslim, Christian and Parsi with equal fervor and regard. Today's festival is celebrated in Kerala.


Ayudha Puja
Ayudha Puja or Astra Puja is a festival, which is a part of Navratri festival of nine days. In simple terms it means ”Worship of Implements.” Navratri is celebrated throughout India. Ayudha Puja is widely celebrated in South India. The  mode of worship  slightly differs in all the Southern States but  by and large the same pattern is observed  in all the four South Indian States ie. Kanataka, Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In all these States the weapons of war are cleaned thoroughly. In  modern days the devices like vehicles, typewriters, computers, musical instruments, stationery, and all articles required for livelihood, are also worshipped, thereby retaining the ancient practice of  giving salutations to the devices  used for  ones vocation.

The Goddesses worshipped during this festival are Saraswati ( Goddess of Learning), Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) and Parvati (the divine mother).

Ayudha Pooja.jpg
Vehicles for worship
The Puja is considered a meaningful custom, which focuses specific attention to one’s profession and its related tools and connotes that a divine force is working behind it to perform well and for getting the appropriate reward.
Goddess Saraswati
A day before the festival, all the tools  and implements are thoroughly cleaned. All these tools are then painted or polished. A tilak of vermilion, sandalwood and  turmeric is smeared all  over. In the evening, they are decorated with flowers. On the day of the Puja, holy chants are recited.  Some time is devoted to meditation. After the Puja, all the devices are taken back for reuse. 

 
Pics : Courtesy Google
Words 248

32 comments:

  1. Being a south Indian, I can relate to this. :) Happy Blogging ahead for the rest of the month, Usha ji. :)

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    1. Thank you Latha. In the North also there is a puja on the same lines, known as Vishwa Karna Day.

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  2. during dis festival, we friends take our vehicles out to a field to wash them while having fun at d same tym :D

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    1. Yes Swathi, children enjoy all such activities.

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  3. Love your theme Ma'am. Am sure every day is going to be very insightful for all of us. Was not aware of Ayudha Puja! I like the thought behind that a divine force is working behind the tools so that they perform well. Thanks for sharing about a very interesting puja :)

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    1. I am happy you liked it.In the North, there is a similar Puja, It is called Vishwa Karma Day

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  4. Good one, Usha ma'm :) Looking forward to one month of festivals :D

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  5. Wonderful to know about it Ma'am...I didn't know about it...Can't wait for the next one :)

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    1. Thanks Naba. The next one may be of interest to you.

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  6. A very good theme. And you have started so nicely with this Ayudha puja...goes well with the A-Z challenge too, worshiping the tools of blogging :)

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    1. Thank you Beloo. I am glad you liked it.

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  7. Brought back the memories of the good old times where I used to celebrate Ayudha Pooja with neighbors and family. :) Great post for a great festival

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    1. As a child we enjoy every thing which is different from daily routine.

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  8. How very cool and what a neat thing to celebrate! Happy A-Zing! ♥

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  9. Even we have this festival here in Odisha :) It was great reading a different kind of post .

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    1. Thank you Sushree. Tomorrow I will present your festival

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  10. Heard of this festival...NEver knew what this was all about! Well written!

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    1. Thank you Danny. We will know many new things this month.

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  11. I have seen people celebrating it but I haven't celebrated it yet. Very informative post :)

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  12. Dear Usha, Thanks for sharing this post and choosing this Theme :)

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    1. thanks a lot Ananya I hope you will like it.

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  13. I am fascinated. I want to clean everything in my office now.
    I also did not know India had states. I'm embarrassed I did not know that.
    Such a good start to the challenge!
    doreenmcgettigan.com

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    1. Thanks Doreen. I am glad you liked the write up. In India most of the festivals are based on legends. They are culturally united.

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  14. That is exactly how we celebrate it Ushaji, It brings back memories of the fun we used to have while washing and cleaning our bicycles for the puja. We Indians sure believe that divine force drives everything around us.

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    1. Yes Reshma. We Indians do every thing with devotion.

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  15. yeah...we celebrate this festival too and u have described it exactly the way we do it too!! what's next?

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    1. Thank you Titli for your remarks. I am proud that my description is authentic.

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  16. Yes,madam what you said is correct.Being Keralite I smelt sacredness in this post.Nice.

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