Key Highlights
- Two cities, one tradition: Police in Durg (Chhattisgarh) and Mumbai performed Shastra Puja on Vijayadashami.
- Durg rituals: SSP Vijay Agrawal led the puja of weapons and vehicles, followed by aerial firing.
- Mumbai ceremony: Senior officers gathered at the Naigaon Armoury, a key security and logistics hub of Mumbai Police.
- Message of duty: Police said the ritual reminds them of their duty to protect citizens and serve the nation.
- Peace appeal: Durg Police urged residents to celebrate Dussehra with peace, harmony and brotherhood.
While families across India worshipped tools, books and vehicles on Vijayadashami, police forces marked the day with a ritual that carries special meaning for them. On Tuesday, police personnel performed the traditional Shastra Puja, or worship of weapons, at the Durg Police Lines in Chhattisgarh and at the Naigaon Armoury in Mumbai.
Durg: Weapons, Vehicles and Aerial Firing
In Durg, Senior Superintendent of Police Vijay Agrawal led the rituals with senior officers and police personnel. Weapons were worshipped as per traditional rites while a priest chanted mantras, and the ceremony ended with aerial firing to mark the occasion.
“Today we marked Vijaydashami, and on the occasion we did Shahstra Puja (worshipping of weapons) along with worshipping our vehicles according to all the rituals,” the SSP said.
The ceremony was attended by Additional SP, Durg City, Shobharaj Agrawal, Additional SP, Rural, Manishankar Chandra, Additional SP, Traffic, Kaushalendra Patel, Reserve Inspector Neelkanth Verma and several station house officers.
Agrawal described Vijayadashami as a symbol of the victory of truth over falsehood and good over evil. He wished residents a happy Dussehra, urged them to celebrate in peace, harmony and brotherhood, and said Durg Police remained committed to public safety.
Mumbai: Ceremony at Naigaon Armoury
A similar ceremony took place at the Naigaon Armoury in the Dadar-Naigaon area, a vital security and logistics hub of the Mumbai Police. It was attended by Joint Commissioner of Police, Administration, Suvez Haque, Additional Commissioner of Police, Armed Police, Dikshit Gedam, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Armed Police, Anand Bhoite, and DCP, Central Region, Zone 2, Anurag Jain.
In a message, Mumbai Police said the Shastra Puja honoured the tradition and spirit of Vijayadashami and reminded them of their most important duty: protecting citizens and serving the nation.
What Is Shastra Puja?
Shastra Puja is traditionally performed on Vijayadashami, the day associated with the victory of good over evil. According to popular belief linked to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas retrieved their weapons hidden in a Shami tree at the end of their exile on this day. Since then, worshipping weapons on Dussehra has been seen as a way to seek strength and victory.
For police and security forces, the ritual symbolises duty, courage and the commitment to protect the public.
Why It Matters
For police personnel, weapons and vehicles are not just equipment, but tools they rely on in dangerous situations. Shastra Puja is a moment to pause, show respect and remember the responsibility that comes with carrying them. It also connects modern policing with India’s long cultural traditions.
The Bigger Picture
The ritual is observed across many police units, army regiments and paramilitary forces every year. It reflects how festivals in India often blend faith with professional pride, giving those in uniform their own way to celebrate.
What Comes Next
With Ravan Dahan events drawing large crowds this evening, police across the country remain on alert to ensure celebrations pass off safely.
With inputs from IANS.
Key Highlights
- Two cities, one tradition: Police in Durg (Chhattisgarh) and Mumbai performed Shastra Puja on Vijayadashami.
- Durg rituals: SSP Vijay Agrawal led the puja of weapons and vehicles, followed by aerial firing.
- Mumbai ceremony: Senior officers gathered at the Naigaon Armoury, a key security and logistics hub of Mumbai Police.
- Message of duty: Police said the ritual reminds them of their duty to protect citizens and serve the nation.
- Peace appeal: Durg Police urged residents to celebrate Dussehra with peace, harmony and brotherhood.
While families across India worshipped tools, books and vehicles on Vijayadashami, police forces marked the day with a ritual that carries special meaning for them. On Tuesday, police personnel performed the traditional Shastra Puja, or worship of weapons, at the Durg Police Lines in Chhattisgarh and at the Naigaon Armoury in Mumbai.
Durg: Weapons, Vehicles and Aerial Firing
In Durg, Senior Superintendent of Police Vijay Agrawal led the rituals with senior officers and police personnel. Weapons were worshipped as per traditional rites while a priest chanted mantras, and the ceremony ended with aerial firing to mark the occasion.
“Today we marked Vijaydashami, and on the occasion we did Shahstra Puja (worshipping of weapons) along with worshipping our vehicles according to all the rituals,” the SSP said.
The ceremony was attended by Additional SP, Durg City, Shobharaj Agrawal, Additional SP, Rural, Manishankar Chandra, Additional SP, Traffic, Kaushalendra Patel, Reserve Inspector Neelkanth Verma and several station house officers.
Agrawal described Vijayadashami as a symbol of the victory of truth over falsehood and good over evil. He wished residents a happy Dussehra, urged them to celebrate in peace, harmony and brotherhood, and said Durg Police remained committed to public safety.
Mumbai: Ceremony at Naigaon Armoury
A similar ceremony took place at the Naigaon Armoury in the Dadar-Naigaon area, a vital security and logistics hub of the Mumbai Police. It was attended by Joint Commissioner of Police, Administration, Suvez Haque, Additional Commissioner of Police, Armed Police, Dikshit Gedam, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Armed Police, Anand Bhoite, and DCP, Central Region, Zone 2, Anurag Jain.
In a message, Mumbai Police said the Shastra Puja honoured the tradition and spirit of Vijayadashami and reminded them of their most important duty: protecting citizens and serving the nation.
What Is Shastra Puja?
Shastra Puja is traditionally performed on Vijayadashami, the day associated with the victory of good over evil. According to popular belief linked to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas retrieved their weapons hidden in a Shami tree at the end of their exile on this day. Since then, worshipping weapons on Dussehra has been seen as a way to seek strength and victory.
For police and security forces, the ritual symbolises duty, courage and the commitment to protect the public.
Why It Matters
For police personnel, weapons and vehicles are not just equipment, but tools they rely on in dangerous situations. Shastra Puja is a moment to pause, show respect and remember the responsibility that comes with carrying them. It also connects modern policing with India’s long cultural traditions.
The Bigger Picture
The ritual is observed across many police units, army regiments and paramilitary forces every year. It reflects how festivals in India often blend faith with professional pride, giving those in uniform their own way to celebrate.
What Comes Next
With Ravan Dahan events drawing large crowds this evening, police across the country remain on alert to ensure celebrations pass off safely.
With inputs from IANS.