The Essence
Shastra Puja, or Ayudha Puja, is the worship of weapons and instruments of war. For Rajputs, weapons were not just tools of violence but sacred protectors of Dharma. On the day of Dussehra (Vijayadashami), swords, guns, spears, and even modern vehicles are cleaned, anointed with tilak, and worshipped.
Origins & History
This tradition dates back to the Ramayana and Mahabharata eras, where warriors worshipped their weapons before heading to battle. It reinforces the idea that power must be used responsibly for the protection of the weak.
