Ayudha Puja
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Golu |
Ayudha Puja (
The principal goddesses worshipped during the Ayudha Puja are Saraswati, the goddess of learning, Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Parvati, the goddess of power.[5] On this occasion, the implements employed by people of various professions and walks of life are customarily venerated, such as the weapons of a soldier, tools of an artisan, and the books of a student. The religious significance of this occasion is to commemorate the victory of the goddess Durga over Mahishasura, or the conquest of Lanka by Rama.[4] In South India, the occasion is primarily dedicated to Saraswati, with the practice of educational materials such as books, pens, pencils, musical instruments, and other equipment being venerated, to signify the victory of knowledge over ignorance.[6][7]
In the contemporary era, the tradition of this occasion is retained by the consecration of computers and typewriters, in the same manner as practiced in the past for weapons of warfare.[8][9] In Orissa, tools traditionally used for cultivation like plough, war like sword and dagger, and inscription writing like "karani" or "lekhani" (metal stylus) are worshipped.[10]
Nomenclature
It is celebrated in Karnataka (in erstwhile Mysore State) as “Ayudha Puje” (Kannada: ಆಯುಧ ಪೂಜೆ).
Legend
Two Hindu legends relate to this festival. The popular legend which was also practiced symbolically by the Maharajas of Mysore alludes to one legend. It is said that on
Another legend is of a pre-battle ritual involving
Mode of veneration
The tools and all implements of vocation are first cleaned. All the tools, machines, vehicles and other devices are then painted or well polished after which they are smeared with
Regional traditions
Karnataka
In
Kerala
In
Tamil Nadu
In
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated as Ayudha Puja/Shastra Puja, Vijayadashami, Navaratri and Saraswati Puja. All weapons, vehicles, agricultural equipment, machines and metal items are worshipped with leaves of the shami tree (Marathi: आपट्याची पाने/सोने), marigold flowers and the 'dhaan' that is grown during 9 days of Navaratri. Marigold flowers have a special significance on Navaratri day.[23] Saraswati Puja is performed and books, musical instruments, etc. are worshiped alongside the goddess. People perform a ritual called Simollanghan, crossing boundary of the village and collect leaves of the apta tree. The leaves signify gold. People visit each other's homes in the evening and distribute the gold (leaves) as a mark of love and respect.[24] Royal Navaratri celebrations take place at various places like Kolhapur.[25]
See also
- Vijayadashami
- Vidyarambham
- Kullu Dussehra
- Saraswati
References
- ^ "Ayudha Puja Celebration 2017, Significance of Ayudha Festival". Archived from the original on 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
- ISBN 978-81-8475-396-7.
- )
- ^ a b Ishwaran, Karigoudar (1963). International studies in sociology and social anthropology, Volume 47. Brill Archive. p. 206.
The Ayudhapuja is a festival that occurs some times in the months of September/October every year in the Karnataka State, to celebrate an episode from the Mahabharata, in which the exiled Pandavas worship their weapons. It is now celebrated by all as worship of whatever tools or material they use to eke out their livelihood
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ Ziegenbalg, Bartholomaeus (1869). Genealogy of the South-Indian gods: a manual of the mythology and religion ... Higginbotham. p. 208. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ISBN 978-0-415-44851-2.
- ISBN 978-81-250-1378-5.
- )
- ISBN 978-81-7625-111-2. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ Kanungo, Panchanan (2014). Sanskruti Baibhaba. Bhubaneswar.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Ayudha Puja or Worship of Tools". Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ Misra, Promode Kumar (1978). Cultural profiles of Mysore City. Anthropological Survey of India, Govt. of India. p. 106. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ "Ayudha Puja". Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ "Wadiyar performs Ayudha Pooja in Mysore Palace". news.oneindia.com. 20 October 2007. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ "Vijayadashmi: The triumph of righteousness". Archived from the original on 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ "A historic festival". Archived from the original on 2007-07-16. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- )
- ^ Srinivas (1955). India's villages: a collection of articles originally published in the Economic weekly of Bombay. West Bengal Govt. Press. pp. 139, 140. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
{{cite book}}
:|work=
ignored (help) - ^ "Navratri rituals: Golu, Saraswati puja, Vidyarambham... : 4". The Deccan Chronicle. 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
- )
- ^ "Golu or Bommai Kolu". Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ "Ayudha pooja 2003". Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ "marigold-flower-prices-shoot-up-on-dussehra". Maharashtra Times.
- ^ "सीमोल्लंघन! - तरुण भारत". तरुण भारत. 2018-10-17. Archived from the original on 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
- ^ "Royal Dasara:Kolhapur". Maharashtra Times.