Ayudha Puja (Astra Pujan)

Ayudha Puja, also known as Astra Puja, is a Hindu ritual observed on Maha Navami during Navaratri, part of the Dussehra festival. It involves worshipping tools, weapons, instruments, and vehicles to express gratitude towards the means of one's livelihood and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. 

The puja is significant as it honors tools across professions—whether used in trades, warfare, technology or the arts—considering them carriers of divine energy. It traces its roots to the Mahabharata, where the Pandavas worshipped their weapons, and honors the weapons received by Goddess Durga to defeat the demon Mahishasura. 

Professionals from various fields celebrate Ayudha Puja by worshipping the tools of their trade: students worship books, artists worship art instruments, farmers worship plows, and mechanics worship vehicles, engineers worship machines, householders worships cars and IT people worship their laptops. Regionally, it is widely celebrated across South India as part of Navaratri and in North India as Vijayadashami, marking the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana. 

Ayudha Puja emphasizes the sanctity of work and the value of the tools that support one's livelihood. It encourages gratitude, hard work, and respect for the instruments that contribute to success in life.

Benefits of Ayudha Puja

• Improves knowledge, creativity, and skills in professional endeavors.
• Offers protection for workers and ensures the safety of equipment and machinery.
• Encourages smooth functioning, efficiency, and optimal use of tools and machinery.
• Invokes blessings of Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesh and Maa Durga

Ayudha Puja Includes:

Kalash Sthapana, Panchang Sthapana (Gauri Ganesh, Punyavachan, Shodash Matrika, Navgraha, Sarvotabhadra), 64 yogini Pujan, Sapthgrihith Matrika Pujan, Chatukashti Yogini Mangal Pujan, Shetrapal Pujan, Swasti Vachan, Sankalpa, Invocation of all Gods and Goddesses in Kalash, Navgraha Pujan, Ganesh Laxmi, Saraswati Abhishek and Pujan with chants of Ganesh Atharvashirsha, Sri Suktam and Sarawati Strotra, Astra Shastra Pujan with chants of “शस्त्राणां शस्त्रपूजायै नमः” , Durga Idol and Yantra Abhishek and pujan, Chandi path, Navarna Mantra Japa 11,000 times, Pushpanjali, Homa(15 different items) and Aarti.

Navarna mantra:

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे 
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche 

A short Video of the Sankalpa and mantra chanting would be sent to you along with the photographs of the Puja ritual. You may connect with the priest during the puja (video or phone call) on WhatsApp or Skype and watch the rituals live. There is no puja tokri sent with this puja. Rudra Centre priests will perform Ayudha Puja as per Vedic rituals based on birth details. Please mention your birth details (name, date, place, time), & Sankalp (your wish) at checkout. This is an individual Puja (you may do puja on individual name or include your near and dear ones in the puja).