Mangalore: Mangalore went through Ayudh Puja a day today, October5, Wednesday, with great cheer. People burst crackers. The tiger dancers sounded their beat instruments and danced. They were told not to throw up sheep while dancing as tigers.
In temples, sweets were distributed On roads, Vehicles like cycles, motobykes, three wheelers, auto rickshaws, cars, buses and carrier trucks were decorated with flower garlands in bright red and yellow colours, with green leaves.
Every Hindu house was decorated after cleaning the floors. It is the 8th day Navaratri when various weapons are worshipped to keep terrorists and demons away from India.
Hindu households and shops worship ‘Shakti’ Devata, or Durga Parameshwari seated on a lion, or Durga slaying. Mahishasura with a sharp long sword. Crackers burst in joy.
Ayudha Puja(Weapon Worship) is an integral part of the Dasara/Navaratri/Durga Puja festival of 10 days. The tools or implements one uses daily, are cleaned and placed on a high podium, or on the floor, and decorated with flowers.
In factories, workers decorate their machines. Various organizations like KSRTC and City Police Commissioner’s office, have their own special programmes, in which officers and staff alike participate and distribute sweets to all, after offering them first to the Goddess of Power.