Shastra Puja 2026: Quick Answer
Shastra Puja on Vijayadashami 2026 is performed on Tuesday, 20 October, in the Aparahna period (about 1:14 PM to 3:30 PM in Delhi), ideally during the Vijay Muhurat from 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM. Clean the weapons or tools, place them on a red cloth, apply roli-tilak, tie kalava, offer flowers, Shami leaves and akshat, worship Ganesha and Goddess Aparajita, and pray for protection and victory. Avoid Rahu Kaal (about 2:56–4:21 PM in Delhi). In South India, Ayudha Puja is observed on Navami — the morning of 20 October in 2026.
What Is Shastra Puja?
Shastra means weapon or instrument. On Vijayadashami, warriors traditionally worshipped their weapons before setting out on campaigns, as Lord Rama did before his battle with Ravana and as Arjuna did after retrieving his weapons from the Shami tree. Today the ritual extends to everything that helps us earn our livelihood and protect our family — weapons, tools, machines, vehicles, computers, pens, books and musical instruments. It is an act of gratitude towards the instruments of our work and a prayer that they serve dharma, never adharma.
Shastra Puja Muhurat 2026
| Detail | Time (New Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, 20 October 2026 |
| Dashami tithi begins | 12:50 PM |
| Aparahna period (approx.) | 1:14 PM – 3:30 PM |
| Vijay Muhurat | 1:59 PM – 2:45 PM |
| Rahu Kaal (avoid, approx.) | 2:56 PM – 4:21 PM |
Vijay Muhurat in other cities: Jaipur 2:06–2:51 PM, Lucknow 1:45–2:31 PM, Mumbai 2:19–3:06 PM, Ahmedabad 2:20–3:06 PM, Kolkata 1:17–2:03 PM, Bengaluru 2:02–2:49 PM, Chennai 1:51–2:39 PM. See Dussehra 2026 Vijay Muhurat.
Samagri for Shastra Puja
- •Red or yellow cloth and a wooden chowki
- •Gangajal and a clean cloth for wiping
- •Roli, haldi, chandan, akshat
- •Kalava (mauli)
- •Flowers, especially marigold and Aparajita (blue butterfly pea)
- •Shami leaves (or a small Shami branch)
- •Ghee lamp, incense, camphor
- •Betel leaves and supari
- •Sweets — jalebi, laddoo or gur
- •Coconut
- •A picture of Goddess Durga or Aparajita, and Lord Rama
See the full Dussehra puja samagri list.
Step-by-Step Shastra Puja Vidhi
- 1Clean the weapons/tools a day earlier. On Dussehra, wipe them with a cloth dipped in Gangajal.
- 2Prepare the place: Spread a red cloth on a chowki in the north-east or east of the house and place the items on it with care. Firearms should be unloaded.
- 3Ganesh puja: Light the lamp and worship Ganesha with "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah".
- 4Sankalp: Take water, akshat and flowers and state your intention.
- 5Tilak and kalava: Apply roli-haldi tilak and draw a swastika on each item where possible; tie kalava.
- 6Offerings: Offer flowers, Shami leaves, akshat, incense and sweets.
- 7Mantra: Chant "Om Aparajitayai Namah" 108 times, and the Shami mantra "Shami shamayate papam shami shatru-vinashini, Arjunasya dhanurdhari Ramasya priyadarshini."
- 8Aarti: Perform aarti and pray: "May these instruments always protect dharma and my family."
- 9Prasad: Distribute sweets.
Aparajita Puja (Simple Method)
In the Aparahna period, draw an eight-petal lotus with roli or sandalwood paste on a clean surface in the north-east. Invoke Goddess Aparajita in the centre with "Om Aparajitayai Namah", Jaya on her right with "Om Kriyashaktyai Namah" and Vijaya on her left with "Om Umayai Namah". Offer flowers, akshat and naivedya, and pray for victory and protection for your family.
Shastra Puja for Modern Professions
| Profession | What to worship |
|---|---|
| Police, army, security | Service weapons (as per department rules) |
| Farmers | Plough, tractor, sickle |
| Drivers, transporters | Vehicles, keys, licence papers |
| Doctors | Stethoscope, instruments |
| Engineers, IT professionals | Laptop, tools |
| Artisans, carpenters | Chisels, hammers, machines |
| Students, writers | Books, pens |
| Musicians | Instruments |
Safety Rules
- •Never fire a gun in celebration — celebratory firing is illegal and dangerous.
- •Keep weapons unloaded and out of children's reach during and after the puja.
- •Don't place knives or sharp tools where they can fall.
- •Follow your department's rules for official weapons.
Shastra Puja in Rajasthan
In Rajput families of Rajasthan, Shastra Puja on Dussehra is a centuries-old tradition. Swords, shields, spears, daggers and guns are cleaned and placed before the kuldevi, worshipped with kumkum and akshat, and the family prays for protection. Former royal families in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Bikaner still hold traditional Shastra Puja and darbars on Dussehra, while farmers in villages worship their ploughs and bullocks.
Involving Children
Include children's books, pens, computers and sports equipment in the puja. Explain that we must respect the tools with which we learn, earn and protect, and never use them to harm anyone. Tell them the stories of Rama and Arjuna — power comes with responsibility.
Summary
Perform Shastra Puja on 20 October 2026 in the Aparahna period, ideally in the Vijay Muhurat (1:59–2:45 PM in Delhi). Clean the instruments, apply tilak, tie kalava, offer Shami and flowers, worship Ganesha and Aparajita, and pray that every tool you use serves dharma.
