CRPF personnel perform Shastra Puja on Vijaydashmi in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct.17 (ANI): Seeking strength from Goddess Durga, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel based in Kashmir valley region worshipped their weapons on the occasion of Vijaydashmi here on Sunday.

Called 'Shastra Puja' or the worship of weapons, is performed after worshipping the Goddess as an annual feature. It is held on Vijaydashmi festival when the victory of good over evil is celebrated across the country.

The practice of worshipping arms follows an episode from the Hindu epic Mahabharata in which Arjun, one of the heroes worshipped his arms, hoping success in the war.

The CRPF personnel prayed for peace and prosperity as a part of the age-old tradition of the organisation.

"It is a tradition in our Central Reserve Police Force to worship Goddess Durga, who is aloft with arms, so that the Goddess gives us the strength to keep the security of the country intact and we can serve our nation better," said Suresh Yadav, a CRPF trooper.

The security personnel chanted religious hymns in praise of the goddess and Lord Rama and then performed the ritual of worshipping the weapons.

H P Pal, another CRPF trooper said that these rituals infuse a strength and confidence in them to take on any challenge or tasks entrusted to them for nation's honour.

"This ritual gives me the strength. Whenever we are on duty we carry the weapons with us, which give us the confidence that we can fight our enemies with full strength. This is the power that we get from the Goddess. We pick up our weapons thinking that the Goddess would provide us the strength and the confidence," Pal said. (ANI)