Ayudha Puja or Worship of Tools

First Online: March 13,2007
Last  Updated: September 07,2008

Instrument Worship or Ayudha Puja (literally meaning Worship of the Weapons) is a festival observed all over in different forms and traditions. Some people bless the tools by which they make a living, by cleaning them, showing respects. For instance, a tailor might decorate his sewing machine, and a driver decorate his vehicle. Shop keepers and merchants observe Ayudha Puja by decorating their shops, the cash register etc in honor of Goddess Laxmi.

In some communities Ayudha Puja festival is observed in honor of Goddess Durga. The legend has it that after the Goddess destroyed the demons, the devotees thanked the her weaponry for protecting them and the tradition of weapon worship began.

Worship of Tools is a beautiful concept because it reminds us of our dependence on the tools, the danger posed by them, and hence the concept is analogous to the fear and necessity posed by divinity. We notice that even Indians who are opposed to idolatry, practice some form of tool worship.

--Vikas Kamat

Table of Contents

• A Priest at an Ayudha Puja Ceremony
• A Streetside Launderer Offers Humble Prayers

See Also:

• Goddess Lakshmi