Ayudha Pooja is a celebration during Dasara. On this day the weapons used during war were worshiped in the palace. The common people worship machines, implements and vehicles at home, factories and offices. This is a grand celebration, and a time to thank the various manmade things for making life easy.
It falls on the 9th day or Navami in the Hindu month of Ashwina, September-October of the Gregorian calendar. This year (2015) it is on 21st October.
The trucks, buses and autos are decorated with flowers, balloons, Banana stems, and Kumkum. As prasada / blessed food, sweets and savories are distributed.
Pumpkins are broken and kept in front of shops and vehicles to ward off the evil eye.
