Ayudha pooja falls during Maha Navaratri and it is popular only in South India mainly in Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Ayudha Puja is done on Navami Tithi during Navratri. Most of the time, it falls on Maha Navami during Navratri. Ayudha Pooja is also known as Shastra Pooja and Astra Pooja.
Historically Ayudha Pooja was meant to worship weapons but in its present form all sort of instruments are worshiped on the very same day. In South India it is a day when craftsmen worship their tools and instruments similar to Vishwakarma Pooja in other parts of India. In its modern form Ayudha Pooja has become Vahana Pooja when people worship their vehicles including cars, scooters, and motor bikes. During Vahana Pooja all sort of vehicles, which are in use, are decorated with vermilion, garlands, mango leaves and banana sapling and worshiped.
Most significantly during Vahana Pooja a white pumpkin is decorated with vermilion and turmeric and smashed in front of the vehicle as a custom to get rid of all sorts of evils. In South India most calendars mark Saraswati Pooja along with Ayudha Pooja. However according to most Dharma Shastras Saraswati Pooja during Navaratri is suggested during Purva Ashadha Nakshatra.
