Mangalore: All over Karnataka, Wednesday. October 5 is know for Ayudha Puja Day, when ornaments, machinery, and vehicles are decorated in office, factories, streets and market, in memory of Devi Durga’s getting ready to kill the buffaloe demon, Mahishasura. It is also the day when Pandava’s (especially Arjuna) take out their battle weapons (bows and arrows) and defeate Kauravas who had captured cows in Virat Nagar, as told in Mahabharatha.

The Ten Nights festival is a story of victory of God over Evil that harassed people in ancient days. As the days proceed from 1 to 6, the Ayudha Puja comes closer as on 8th (Ashtami) day(Durgashtami), when common people decorate their homes, factory machines and weapons (as in Kodagu) and Vehicles (moving on roads) with heaps of flowers like marigold and Jasmine.

The Sharada Devi Puja also is held with school books at homes and idols erected in temples for public worship. The vehicle worship has come into vogue to avoid accidents and injuries.

In Mysore Palace, the prince Srikantdatta N.Odeyar worships his armoury and lets Goddess Chamundi to fight Mahishasura on the hills. Sweets are presented to one and all.