General Upendra Dwivedi Leads Shastra Puja Ceremony with AK-203 in Bhuj on Dussehra
On the occasion of Dussehra, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi conducted the traditional Shastra Puja in Bhuj, where prayers were offered to an AK-203 assault rifle and other weapons utilized by the Indian Army.
The ceremony took place under a ceremonial tent decorated with marigold garlands, and was attended by high-ranking military officials in full regimental attire. During the ritual, the rifle was sanctified using holy water, turmeric, and vermilion, and adorned with flowers and Shami leaves, symbolizing divine blessings for victory, strength, and protection.
Shastra Puja, deeply embedded in India's cultural and martial traditions, is celebrated to honor weapons as symbols of valor and protection. Though its resurgence in recent years is often attributed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, military historians point out that the practice predates independence, with regiments such as the Ahirs, Dogras, and Sikhs performing the ritual annually as part of their martial legacy.
With rising tensions along the western front and issues concerning Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, the Shastra Puja also represented the Army's preparedness to address emerging security challenges. The event highlighted the Indian Army's ability to integrate spiritual traditions with modern military values, maintaining a balance between heritage and contemporary strategic needs.
