Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 18: Observing the ninth day of Navaratri, Ayudha Puja was offered in the city with piety and zeal on Thursday, October 18.

People kept the day sacred by taking off from work to thank God for enabling them to accomplish their jobs with the help of their tools, equipment and vehicles.

Machinery, vehicles, equipments and tools were cleaned, decorated with flowers and worshipped. Priests offered puja in various places. On this day, Goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati were venerated.

Various equipment namely agricultural tools, cameras, computers and all other forms used for one's livelihood were blessed. In north India the ninth day of Navaratri is celebrated as Navami Puja.

It is believed that Goddess Durga after annihilating demons in the nine days set aside her weapons as an accomplishment of their use and venerated them.

As per legend, Arjuna brought down the weapons hidden in a tree by Pandavas before proceeding on their commissioned period of banishment. On completion of this period, the weapons were worshipped before use.

Ayudha Puja is observed as thanksgiving, as well as to ward off any evil that could cause harm or injury in the coming year. The day is celebrated by bursting crackers. It is also a day of rest for man and machine.