On the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi performed the traditional Shastra Puja at Bhuj, offering prayers to an AK-203 assault rifle and other weapons used by the Indian Army.
The ceremony, held under a ceremonial tent adorned with marigold garlands, was attended by senior military officials in full regimental attire. As part of the ritual, the rifle was sanctified with holy water, turmeric, vermilion, and decorated with flowers and Shami leaves — symbolizing divine blessings for victory, strength, and protection.
Shastra Puja, deeply rooted in India’s cultural and martial traditions, is observed to honor weapons as symbols of valor and guardianship. While its revival in recent years has often been credited to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, military historians emphasize that the practice long predates independence, with regiments of Ahirs, Dogras, Sikhs, and others performing the ritual annually as part of their martial heritage.
Coming amid heightened tensions along the western front and concerns in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, the Shastra Puja also symbolized the Army’s readiness to meet emerging security challenges. The event served as a reminder of how the Indian Army continues to blend spiritual traditions with modern military ethos, balancing heritage with contemporary strategic imperatives.
