Yesterday when Narayana Bhattar called us to the temple we knew this Ayudha Pooja will be something special. As expected, it was a very special feeling ….. for the first time our vehicle has been part of the Ayudha Pooja celebration at the Ashtamsa Varadha Anjaneyar Temple, Peelamedu, Coimbatore.
We reached the temple by about 7.15 pm. The “Raja” alankaram for Anjaneyar was as always stunning. Standing in front of HIM, all the worries and stress melt away.. momentarily you feel, Hanuman will take care of everything. The challenge is to prolong that feeling because it is HE who takes care, no one else.
Remembering that we come into each life through our own volition and with a list of experiences that will help us reduce our karmic debts is the difficult part, especially when that idiot cuts you off on the highway !!! That’s exactly when we need to remember it :):).
The highlight of our Coimbatore stay has always been the Peelamedu Anjaneyar temple visits. There is something special about the temple and the fact that Narayanan and Murali happen to be Amma’s school friend’s sons makes it even more special. There are two things that we miss back home in Gurgaon – the temples and the flowers that you get in South India besides some of the food items.
We quickly cleaned the car and around 8.30 pm Murali and Narayana Bhattar started the Ayudha Pooja. Here is a short video of the Pooja –
By the time we were done with the Pooja and received the Prasadam, it was almost 10 pm. We returned home around 10.40 pm, but felt so happy and blessed.
What is Ayudha Pooja ?
It’s the 9th day of Navaratri when any tool you use for your work/livelihood is cleaned, decorated and prayed to. The beauty of Hinduism in that “everything” is treated as divine. Without the plough, a farmer cannot grow anything on his land. Without the rifles, tanks, and other arms, a soldier cannot protect our borders. And without our cars/computers etc, none of us can function.
On the Ayudha Pooja day, one thanks these tools for helping us earn our livelihood and for making our life better. The sense of reverence makes us use these tools in a better way. As we celebrate Ayudha Pooja, do remember the biggest tool that Nature has given us – our body. Take care of the body because the infinite Bhagwan resides in it.
Please take the time to understand the significance of each festival … it’s not merely good vs evil or something inane as positivity vs negativity for every festival. Simple explanations don’t exist – they have been created to distance you from your Sanatan roots and ofcourse it’s convenient to “market”.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Vijayadashami, Happy Dussehra. Do read an earlier blog post of mine on this – Dharma Vs Adharma ≠ Good Vs Evil.
#HinduFestivals