Ayudha Puja 2023: Pooja Timings and Guidelines
Ayudha Puja, also known as Astra Puja, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the worship of tools, weapons, and other instruments that are used for work, education, and other purposes. The festival is typically celebrated on the ninth day of the Navratri festival, which falls on Monday, October 23, 2023, this year.
The auspicious time for performing Ayudha Puja in 2023 is between 1:58 PM and 2:43 PM. However, if you are unable to perform the puja during this time, you can also do it between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM or between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
To perform Ayudha Puja, you will need to clean and decorate your puja room or workspace. You will also need to gather the following items:
- A murti or idol of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning
- A murti or idol of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity
- A murti or idol of Ganesha, the remover of obstacles
- A plate of flowers and fruits
- A bowl of water
- A lamp or diya
- Rice grains
- Turmeric powder
- Kumkum powder
- Sandalwood paste
- Garlands
Once you have gathered all of the necessary items, you can begin the puja by lighting the lamp and offering incense. Then, chant the following mantra:
Om Saraswatiye Namaha Om Lakshmiyai Namaha Om Ganapataye Namaha
Next, place the murtis of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Ganesha on the puja altar. Offer flowers and fruits to the deities. Then, sprinkle rice grains, turmeric powder, kumkum powder, and sandalwood paste on the deities and on the tools and instruments that you are worshipping.
After offering the puja items, chant the following mantra:
Ya devi sarvabhuteshu shastra-rupa samashrita Namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah
Finally, pray to the deities for their blessings and ask for their guidance in your work and studies.
Here are some additional tips for performing Ayudha Puja:
- If you are worshipping any weapons, make sure to unload them and keep them in a safe place.
- You can also worship your car, motorcycle, or other vehicles on Ayudha Puja.
- After the puja, distribute the prasad to your family and friends.
Ayudha Puja is a time to thank the tools and instruments that we use for our work and studies. It is also a time to pray for the blessings of the deities so that we can achieve success in all of our endeavors.